Setauket Fire Department's Bill Doherty Jr. 'Irish American Of Distinction'

SETAUKET, NY — Setauket Volunteer Firefighter William "Bill" Doherty Jr. was recently honored as the 5th Legislative District’s 2024 Irish American of Distinction, Legis. Steve Englebright said.

Doherty joined his fellow honorees at the county’s Irish American Heritage Month celebration at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge on March 27. The celebration highlighted Irish Americans' contributions throughout Suffolk with each legislator selecting an Irish American person of distinction who resides in his or her respective legislative district.

The 33-year-old South Setauket resident, who followed in his Dad's footsteps as a volunteer firefighter, works full-time in the fire department's maintenance department. He is known for his contributions to many fire department community functions, "whether front
and center or working behind the scenes, to make them successful," Englebright's office said.

He takes part in various community events, including the department's car wash and other fundraisers and also serves as a liaison for whoever runs an event to ensure they have everything they need, according to Englebright's office.

He plays a significant role in the upkeep of the department's 9/11 Memorial Park, which is open
to the public, and in addition to answering alarms, he operates the district's snowplow during a fire emergency to ensure access to driveways and walkways during a snowstorm, Englebright's office said.

He is known as a member who is always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needs it, the office said.