Beside the playground at Shorefront Park in Patchogue sits a bench newly dedicated to Dennis Smith, executive director of the Patchogue Village Business Improvement District. Around 50 friends, family, and colleagues gathered at the park on June 15 to commemorate the bench in honor of Smith, who has helped in Patchogue’s vitalization over the past 20 years.

Every year since 2015, Smith’s grandchildren have taken a photo on the bench, with the kids always giving their grandad a framed picture of them on his birthday. Smith’s youngest son, Dan, said he was inspired to honor his dad after seeing him be grand marshal for the Patchogue St. Patrick’s Day Parade, in 2022.

“That was a day that solicited a lot of reflection,” Dan Smith said. “People were out and about walking to and from Main Street. The drone of cars coming and going was a welcome background noise and portrayed the trappings of a bustling, thriving place. And in that moment, I had an epiphany that wow, my dad really is a big part of this place.”

After planning with his siblings, Jeaninne and Dennis Jr., and with the help of Patchogue Village trustee Joseph Keyes and director of Patchogue Village Parks and Recreation Maria Giustizia, the crew got the bench ready ahead of Dennis Smith’s retirement in September.

Until then, though, Smith will continue working at BID, making sure the flowers along Main Street are well-kept, reporting to the village board of trustees, and ensuring that Patchogue stays lively throughout the busy summer.

Friend and colleague, Patchogue Village mayor Paul Pontieri, also spoke about Smith’s strong work ethic, shown by his work on renovations at Shorefront Park.

“A lot of what you see here is because of his ability to put it together to make it happen,” Pontieri said.

Smith then thanked everyone for attending and was humbled by the crowd’s size. After unveiling the bench, Smith posed for pictures with his wife Patricia, children, Dan, Jeaninne, and Dennis, and grandchildren Robert, Lily, Holly, Benjamin, and Vivian Riley.

“I look forward to sitting on my bench with my grandchildren in the weeks and months of years to come,” Smith said. “And maybe, just maybe, you’ll even let me be in the picture.”