Oceanport's Wilcox Roofing: Top Specialists

Close to 30 years ago the owner of the roofing company that was set to replace the roof on the home we had purchased only three or four years prior said to me, “This roof that we’ll put on here will last you 30 – 35 years.” “Wow” says I, duly impressed. What did I know, I was young, 35 years was older than I was at the time. Why I could live in this house ‘forever’ and never have to worry about a leaky roof.

So now it’s 2011. A few leaks here and there, mostly due to an addition put on some 15 years ago. And, that roof of yore is old much like some other things around the house. Ahem! We got the required three estimates with specs, etc. and met and talked with the owners of each company. Bert Wilcox, the owner (one of 2 partners, the other being Keith Webb) of Wilcox Roofing said to me, “Yeah, this roof we’ll put on will last over 30 - 35 years.” I just looked at this gentleman and said, “Yeah, and what do I care.” Bert, a lifelong native of Oceanport, laughed with me as he headed for his truck.

Bert had been right up front with us from the start, “We’re not cheap but that’s because we’re the best – you’ll get the best value for your dollar. After over 30 years in business, our basic philosophy of providing the highest quality of workmanship at a fair price is unchanged.”

So we signed the papers, provided the upfront bucks and we were on the schedule.  Did I mention here that we had three old roofs that had to be removed before the new roof went on? Quite a job – and it was very hot as the crew, led by Keith, began the job. Ha, have you ever passed a bunch of guys working and seen other workers and/or just people standing around watching? I know that on these occasions I have said to myself, ‘What’s the matter with those people, haven’t they anything else to do?’ So the crew from Wilcox is taking the roof off – there am I looking up from the backyard, Odie O’Doul at my side looking up from his lowly perch on the ground and tilting his head. The noise was an attraction for Odie as well. Over the six days that the job took he became very accustomed to the noise and the ‘guys’. He seemed to look for them every morning and once he saw that they were setup and busy at work he would come back in the house and settle in under the kitchen table content that all was right with the world.

Watching Keith create the copper top for the turret, I was mesmerized as were several neighbors. We laughed as we looked at each other periodically and saw that in watching these craftsmen we held our mouths in open positions. Monkey see, monkey do.

How these guys persevered in the heat I don’t know – they repeatedly told me they were ‘used to it.’

The job complete, the crew began packing up for the last time. Their work done they preceded to do a cleanup that left the yard looking better than when they started. I thought, ‘Hm, that’s it – they’re leaving and they won’t be back tomorrow.’ Pleased as punch to have our beautiful new roof in place – I felt sad, sorta’ like when you finish a really good book and you have actually pushed to finish it and then – it’s over, done, zipped right outta’ your life, you know what I mean?

Wilcox Roofing had humble beginnings as a one-man operation in the spring of 1978. With a used Chevy van and one 24 ft. wooden extension ladder. Bert Wilcox began the business working as a sub-contractor doing new construction roofing. After twenty one years of running a one man operation Bert brought longtime employee Keith Webb into the business as a partner. Working on our home with Keith the ‘cast of characters’ (as Glen fondly referred to his compatriots) was – Glen Hicks, Oscar Espitia and Bret Bykow. To a man they were the nicest gentlemen I’ve ever had working in any capacity at our home, craftsmen in their trade. 

In the few weeks since their departure we have received numerous compliments on the roof especially that top on the turret. Just last Thursday I ran into two Shrewsbury police officers at Pepe’s Cypress Café in town. One of the officers who, as a kid, was a familiar face at our home said, “Hey, great job on the roof, love the job on the turret. Wilcox does the best work – that Keith Webb, I went to high school with him.”

That’s what I love about living in this area – we’re all connected somehow.  Ain’t it grand?

C.M. McLoughlin, a writer and editor from New Jersey and New York, can be reached at mcloughlin43@gmail.com.