What’s the difference between an Irish wake and an Irish wedding? One less drinker.
Or so the joke goes. But in the Patchogue Rotary’s case, there will be two very live honorees being celebrated, as if they were dead.
The wake was held on March 11 at the Bellport Country Club to recognize some of Patchogue’s finest: Legis. Dominick Thorne and Chris “CB” Breheny, the owner of Fadeley’s, Bodhi’s and Buoy 35.
“The reasons we picked these guys are that they are beloved people in their respective communities and they are charitable by nature,” said Thomas Palmeri of the Rotary’s choice.
Their “eulogies” will be read and guests will toast them as if they were at an actual wake, with drinks in hand. Also, in true Irish style, their lives will be celebrated and merriment will be the theme.
The event was open to the public, but reservations were required. All benefits went to the Patchogue Rotary, which donates to dozens of local charities.
Patchogue resident Thorne was first elected to the Suffolk County Legislature in the Seventh District in 2019. Prior to his seat on the legislature, Thorne worked at the Suffolk County Board of Elections.
Thorne has spent years in the local fire and EMS services and said he has always put people first. His dedication to community service started in grade school, volunteering for the Salvation Army Thrift Store. At age 12, he joined the Levittown Fire Department and at 16 he joined an organization of volunteers that patrol the parkways to help stranded motorists.
He moved to the area in the late ‘80s with his first wife, Jeanette. They were married for 24 years until her untimely death. He currently lives in Patchogue with his wife, Barbara, and daughters, Faith and Nicole.
He also joined the North Patchogue Fire Department as an EMT critical care tech in 1990, where he served as captain of Emergency Medical Services for 10 years. He has helped train new team members and created a program to ensure every patient receives the highest level of pre-hospital care.
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