fred Thiele honored

Fred Thiele, a most positive force for the East End

From 27east, by Stephen J. Kotz:

As members of the community gathered on Friday, November 22, 2024 at The Church in Sag Harbor, where State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr., was being honored with the Sag Harbor Partnership’s Community Service Award, the organization’s co-president, Jayne Young, referred to Frank Capra’s classic film “It’s a Wonderful Life” to describe him.

“To me, Fred has always been the George Bailey of Sag Harbor,” she said — as Thiele, who would later cite the same movie, interjected, “You’re killing my speech now.” 

She pointed out that like Bailey, Thiele had touched the lives of many in the community. “It has been a wonderful life here for you, Fred,” she said.

Young said the partnership had wanted to give the award for some time to Thiele but deferred because he was an elected official. After Thiele announced earlier this year that he wouldn’t seek reelection after serving in Albany for nearly 30 years, she said it was an easy choice.

“There is no one, I think, who has been more impactful, more generous with his time, more truly emphatic, and he has had a real lasting effect on this community,” said April Gornik, a member of the partnership’s board. “We are going to miss you so much.”

Susan Mead, the partnership’s other co-president, pointed out that 31 different elected officials, from State Senator Anthony Palumbo to Sag Harbor Mayor Tom Gardella, had turned out for the event. “We would love to give their names, but it would take longer than the event,” she quipped.

Nonetheless, a number of well-wishers lined up to pay tribute to Thiele, including Gardella, who presented him with a proclamation.

“If I had to pick one thing that I’d like to read out of this proclamation,” he said, “it’s this particular part: ‘Whereas Assemblyman Thiele has been a pillar of integrity leading with compassion, wisdom and a deep commitment to public service, earning the respect and admiration of his colleagues and the gratitude of the people he has served.’”

Governor Kathy Hochul sent Thiele a letter, which was read by her Long Island representative, former Southampton Town Councilman John Bouvier.

“Throughout your accomplished career, you have demonstrated your commitment to your fellow Sag Harbor residents as a longtime local leader and state legislator” who had helped implement many important and innovative policies, the governor’s letter stated. “Your numerous roles in government working for the residents of Sag Harbor and your dedication to its future have not only strengthened your community, but also inspired people of all ages to similarly strive to serve their neighbors.”

Thiele’s colleagues in the statehouse also offered testimonials. Assemblyman Joe DeStefano, a Republican who represents the 3rd District in Brookhaven, said that Thiele had been a mentor during the six years they served together.

“We sit on opposite sides of the aisle,” he said, “but Fred never said ‘no’ when I asked him for help. That’s the integrity of this man and his bipartisanship.”

“There’s a ‘P’ word in politics that isn’t good, and that’s partisanship,” added 3rd District State Senator Dean Murray, a Republican. “But there is another ‘P’ word, and that is partner, and that is what Fred has been all these years.”

Republican State Senator Anthony Palumbo, who formerly represented the 2nd District in the Assembly before replacing Senator Kenneth P. LaValle, also described Thiele as “an incredible mentor” and political partner. “You are an icon and will be sorely missed, and you are a wonderful friend,” he said.

Kevin McDonald, the conservation project director for public lands for The Nature Conservancy on Long Island, described Thiele as a “visionary thinker” who had brought about “transformational change to the landscape of the East End and Suffolk County from The Nature Conservancy, through his advocacy for programs such as the Community Preservation Fund that he helped create.

“Fred at his core is a creative, tireless worker, a brilliant strategist, and a principled leader,” he said.

Denise McRedmond, who has served on Thiele’s staff for more than two decades, also praised him.

“I admire many things about you, but at the top of that list is your unwavering commitment to public service and your incredible intellect,” she said. “I wish you all the best in this next chapter as you spend more time with your family and friends. You have earned it.”

Thiele said watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” is a holiday tradition in his family. “I relate to that movie as someone who grew up here and spent my whole life here in Sag Harbor,” he said.

But it wasn’t always that way. Thiele said he had ambitions to leave town, much like the young George Bailey, who said, “I’m going to kick the dust of this crummy town off my feet and go see the world.”

Instead, he ended up graduating from Southampton College and entering public service.

“This is the place I know and I love,” Thiele said. “My feeling was this town, this village, Sag Harbor gave so much to me that it was my opportunity to give something back.”

Thiele paid tribute to his parents, who worked hard so he could enjoy a better life, and thanked his sister, Laurie, for her belief in him. He also thanked his children. His son Michael and daughter-in-law Jill, his daughter Josephine and stepson Alexander Ferrini were in attendance. His son, Jeffrey, was unable to attend.

And he thanked his wife, NancyLynn, who, he said, “keeps me humble by reminding me I have a lot to be humble about.”

Thiele concluded by thanking his elected colleagues and the many others who filled The Church.