Gloucester County resident digging work at Edelman Fossil Park & Museum

MANTUA, New Jersey (WPVI) -- Paid Sponsor Partnership: Philadelphia Corporation for Aging

Louis Iocona has a passion for prehistoric pieces, like the tooth of a Squalicorax or "crow shark."

"Even 60 million years later they're still razor sharp," he says.

Iocona shares that enthusiasm working part time at the Edelman Fossil Park & Museum in his hometown.

"I have always been a fossil hunter," he says. "That was something that I enjoyed at eight years old, and I am now 67 years old."

He retired in 2014 from Gloucester County Emergency Services in New Jersey.

"I was a 911 telecommunicator for 34 years," he says. "I've been very fortunate, Dr. Lacovara has taken me on as a citizen scientist."

Dr. Lacovara is the Founding Executive Director of the Edelman Fossil Park & Museum of Rowan University.

"Here, we feature the dinosaurs that existed on the east coast at the end of the time of the dinosaurs," says Dr. Lacovara.

"I am what is called a visitor experience guide," says Iocona.

In that role, he works in different areas of the museum.

"Everything that you see here is what was here 66 million years ago in Mantua Township," he says.

Iocona also guides groups in the quarry dig site adjacent to the museum.

"It's a 75-minute experience," he says. "Each step that they take they are walking 400,000 years down into the Cretaceous Period."

The bottom of the quarry used to be the ocean floor, so visitors can spot fossils easily.

"So what you're literally finding are all these invertebrate fossils," he says. "This is what's called a Cucullaea vulgaris."

Other than finding fossilized bivalves, like the false ark clam or ark clam, guests also dig up fossils of brachiopods, sea coral and sea sponges.

"We allow each one of our guests to take three of the best finds that they have with them," he says. "Of course, the shark tooth, which everybody wants."

And lately, findings have been very good. When you hear a visitor ring the bell, that means they've found the coveted shark tooth.

"Our motto is 'discover the past, protect the future,' so we're getting kids excited about science," says Dr. Lacovara.

And Iocona says, it's that discovery that makes it all worthwhile.

"That smile, that accomplishment, is what it's all about, and that's what we're here for," he says.

The Edelman Fossil Park & Museum is open all year, but the quarry dig site is seasonal, so if you're looking for some fossil finds to take home, you'll need to dig in before the end of October, which also happens to be National Dinosaur Month.

For more information, visit the Edelman Fossil Park & Museum of Rowan University website.

Edelman Fossil Park & Museum of Rowan University
66 Million Mosasaur Way
Mantua, NJ 08080