Bus Tour Operator In Lacey Helps Seniors Make Fun Memories

LACEY, NJ — Gary Cohen has driven buses all over the country, taking people to see the sights from sea to shining sea.

"I've been to the Midwest, to the south, all the way to the West Coast," Cohen, the owner of Fun on Wheels Tours said recently. For 25 years, he drove buses for other tour companies, delivering people to destinations for a vacation experience, and over that time, he learned a great deal.

"Sometimes the (tour companies) weren't doing enough research on where they sent us," Cohen said, and that led to issues upon arrival that Cohen often had to then try to fix. After dealing with issues and giving ideas and not seeing a response to them, he decided to set out on his own.

That's how Fun on Wheels came to be. The company, based in Lanoka Harbor, offers motor coach tours ranging from trips to Cape May or to Broadway shows to multi-day trips to places such as Myrtle Beach, Nashville, Washington, DC, and Niagara Falls.

It's not just the sights Cohen wants to share, however. The trips, geared toward senior citizens, aim to be affordable and, most important to him, attending to everyone's needs.

"We offer a quality tour at affordable prices so everyone goes home with fond memories," Cohen said.

The "we" in Fun on Wheels Tours is Cohen's friend and a well-known face to many in Ocean County: Al Della Fave. While most know the retired New Jersey State Trooper from his time as the spokesman for former Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato, Della Fave has spent quite a bit of the last 10 years as the tour director on Cohen's trips, an arrangement they formalized with Fun on Wheels Tours.

Della Fave, who first connected with Cohen when Cohen was driving for another company, stumbled into being a tour director purely by happenstance.

He was on a trip to Atlantic City with his wife and her parents to see a Frank Sinatra impersonator, and decided to have some fun on the way home.

"I noticed a microphone and being inspired by the show, began to sing a Frankie song for the passengers," Della Fave said. "As they laughed and applauded, the tour operator asked if he could speak to me when we arrived back in Toms River."

Instead of being banned from future tours as Della Fave's wife predicted, the tour company owner asked if he would start working for him, because his regular escort was having health issues.

"He explained his company catered to seniors looking for an all-inclusive travel experience that required a professional capable of making quick on-the-spot decisions and experienced in dealing with large diverse groups," Della Fave said. His experience with the State Police was valuable especially in emergencies.

On Della Fave's first trip after that, a three-day outing to Washington, a passenger tripped over a curb and had to be taken to the emergency room.

"I then had to amend touring schedules, research site info, resolve passenger concerns, and keep everyone smiling, entertained and most importantly feeling safe," he said. "For most who had experienced such a roller coaster weekend it would be the end, but for me it was everything I love in a job. I thrive on comforting, caring for, problem solving and fixing things for people."

"I found my calling," Della Fave said.

Cohen said Fun on Wheels Tours uses "nothing less than four-star hotels" for its multi-day trips and works to make sure everyone has an enjoyable time. The personalized service is most important to him, he said.

"I have found it to be among one of the most rewarding things I've done in life," Della Fave said. "The smiles, thank-you letters, and friendships gained in helping people enjoy life and travel are priceless to me."

If you're interested in checking out their trips, Cohen's website has information on what they offer. You can access the website by clicking here.

"My goal is to make sure every guest has a fun filled experience with memories that will last a lifetime," Cohen said.

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Photos provided by Gary Cohen