Island Park Residents Mourn Loss of Local Hot Spot

Island Park residents have taken to social media to mourn the loss of a local favorite bar.

Paddy Mcgees, an Island Park landmark, shut down after it was destroyed by Sandy in 2012.

In 2013, owner John Vitale announced that he would not be reopening the restaurant after a 30 year run.

However, the empty, shuttered restaurant remained standing at its location on Waterview Road until recently.

Last month, the restaurant was officially demolished to begin construction on an 86-apartment project called the Waterview Land Development, the LI Herald Reports.

Many turned to the Facebook page, Remembering PADDY Mcgees, created about a year ago by 71-year-old Mike Limmer who worked as director of security at the restaurant for 25 years, to leave their condolences for the restaurant.

On May 5, a photo of the construction along with the caption "R.I.P. PADDY MCGEE'S...5/5/16" on the Facebook page received a total of 1,600 'Likes' along with 1,467 shares and over 390 comments.

Several more photos of the demolition were posted to the page earlier this month along with the caption: "WE THOUGHT IT WOULD LIVE ON FOREVER...IT IS SLOWLY FADING AWAY...BUT, IT DOES LIVE ON IN OUR HEARTS...PM, JUNE 6, 2016."

Local residents have also been using the page to post photos, memories and stories of the restaurant.