Beach's 'Superman' Gets His Cape, Fortress [VIDEO]

Even at a young age, Jimmy Donahue knew he wanted to spend his life saving people.

So much so that on at least one occasion a young Donahue was seen leaping, full extension, across the sands of Hampton Beach, a red cape fluttering behind him in the wind as he came crashing down into the hot sand.

A curious onlooker, according to friend Bev Hollingworth, approached Donahue to ask why he was diving through the air with his arms stretched before him. Hollingworth said Donahue's answer was simple: he was "practicing flying," because in order to be Superman, he had to know how to fly well.

Donahue never did officially become Clark Kent's alter ego, although don't tell that to Hollingworth and the dozens and dozens of friends and family that came out Saturday despite whipping winds and torrential downpours to honor Donahue, whom to many quickly became the "Superman of Hampton Beach" not long after becoming a lifeguard at the age of 16.

That was 52 summers ago, and Hollingworth said Donahue has proven himself time and time again to be Superman, which is why she felt it fitting to finally give the longtime chief of the Hampton Beach lifeguards his cape Saturday during the dedication of the new James W. Donahue Jr. Lifeguard Tower.

"On any summer day up to 1,000 kids can go missing, and Jimmy could find them all in 15 minutes," said Hollingworth, who was one many close friends and colleagues to give formal speeches during Saturday's ceremony at the Seashell Complex. "It's a tough job, but Jimmy did it summer after summer. And, he did such a good job, and it didn't go unnoticed."

Nearly 100 people gathered inside the Seashell Complex conference room to Donahue Saturday during the for the $14.5 million facility, which includes the new .

The above video showcases some of stories shared during the ceremony, which was hosted by close friend and former beach official Brian Warburton and featured speeches by: state Department of Resources and Economic Development Commissioner George Bald; state Rep. Fred Rice, R-Hampton; Hollingworth; N.H. State Police Col. and former lifeguard Robert Quinn; and Leland Brennan, a fellow lifeguard in the State Beach Patrol.

Quinn described Donahue as a "tenacious," "humble," fun-loving "leader," while Bald and Rice each said Donahue's "dedication" and longevity are unparalleled, especially since he's been an "anchor" of the beach and has outlasted three different police stations, three different Seashell Stages, and many other changes.

Donahue said the kind words and the honor of having a building dedicated in his honor was "overwhelming" and left him "speechless." He said it "seems like just yesterday" that he started, and he attributed his longevity to the wonderful memories and feelings he gets out of each and every day overseeing safety at Hampton Beach.

"It's so hard to give this job up," said Donahue about why he still patrols the beach. "I'm approaching 70, and the fact that I can go back and lead these guys — these young guys — it keeps me young, just working with them. It's hard to just say, 'That's it, I'm not going to do it now.'"

Rice read aloud a proclamation by Gov. John Lynch during Saturday's ceremony, and a plaque commemorating the dedication and Donahue's work was unveiled outside the Seashell Complex.

It was a surreal experience for Donahue, who said it'll be even more surreal come later this month when he spends his first full shifts working inside a building with his name on it.

"It's a little strange to be walking into a building with a plaque there that has your name on it, and you're not dead or retired," said Donahue with a laugh. "But, we'll see how that goes [this] summer."