Legislator Steven J. Flotteron recognized John J. Wahlberg as the 11th Legislative District’s honoree at the 3rd Annual Irish American Heritage Celebration held at the H. Lee Dennison Bldg. in Hauppauge.
Wahlberg is the second-generation descendant of maternal grandparents, Joseph John DeLee and Margaret O’Connor DeLee from Bruree, County Limerick, Ireland. In 1961 he and his wife Gale moved to Bay Shore, where he began working in the family business, Duffy’s Market. In 1965, he began a 35-year career with The Long Island Lighting Company. His lifelong friendships inspired him to become more active in the community. He joined the Bay Shore Fire Department in 1963 as a member of the Penataquit Hose Company for more than 55 years and was an elected officer of the “Peanut” from 1975-1980, where he served as Captain. He was also the Fire Department’s Band Master from 1975–1981, leading the award-winning band throughout NY State and the beaches of Fire Island. He was also a member the Quarterback Club, which later became the Bay Shore Athletic Sponsors and was voted president for two terms serving as president for two terms and selected as Man of the Year twice.
Since retiring in 2000 Wahlberg has donated much of his time to community organizations. He is one of the founding members of the Greater Bay Shore-Brightwaters St. Patrick’s Day Parade and was honored as the parade’s Grand Marshal in 2009. He is also a member of the Long Island Maritime Museum and currently serves on its Executive Board as Treasurer. A respected member of the Bay Shore Chamber of Commerce serving as Vice President on the executive board for 20 years and serves as Treasurer of the Long Island Maritime Museum. He is currently on the Advisory Board. He was honored as the Chamber’s Distinguished Citizen in 2014. He is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians Division #1 Queen of All Hearts and currently serves as Divisional President and served on the Suffolk County AOH Board as Sentinel until Jan. 2025.
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