Irish Eyes Smiling For Westhampton Beach St. Patrick's Day Parade

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — Irish eyes will be smiling Saturday as a crowd turns out for the the 2019 Westhampton Beach St. Patrick's Day Parade.

The parade, a beloved annual event, steps off from its traditional starting point in front of Westhampton Beach Elementary School on Mill Road at noon, continues south toward Main St., then turns west before ending on the corner of Main St. and Sunset Ave., according to the Westhampton Beach Parade Committee.

This year's Grand Marshal Aram Terchunian has chosen a parade them for this year, "Dawg Days of Summer."

He chose the theme in honor of his late wife Lisa Frielinghaus, a beloved Westhampton Beach Middle School art teacher who died last year and was known for her Art Dawg artwork.

"It's a perfect tribute and a beautiful expression of his love for Lise," said Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming, who presented Terchunian a proclamation in advance of the parade, said.

"Aram Terchunian’s links to the community are deep," the WHB St. Pat's Committee wrote recently on their site.

A graduate of Westhampton Beach High School, he is a coastal geologist and owner of First Coastal Corp., an environmental consulting and coastal construction firm which has been operating in Westhampton Beach for decades, the committee wrote.

"However, it is Aram’s charitable work that truly distinguishes him within the community. He is co-founder of the Moriches Bay Project, a grass roots organization dedicated to improving local bay water quality through farming hundreds of thousands of oysters which filter millions of gallons of water daily. Equally important is the Project’s outreach to local schools to educate students about the benefit of environmental action and provide students hands-on experience installing the oyster habitats," the committee said.

"If the environment is a passion for Aram both professionally and personally, so is his work on behalf of the youth in our community. Aram served on the Westhampton Beach Board of Education for 10 years. Less publicly, Aram is known to mentor local students in skills such as resume writing and interview techniques," the committee added. "Another example of his commitment to youth is his long membership in the Kiwanis of Greater Westhampton, of which he is currently president. Their motto, 'Serving the Children of the World' illustrates their mission which has a special focus on the children of our community."

In recognition of his exceptional service, the committee said: "Aram has been awarded the high honor of the George F. Hixson Fellowship. The Rotary Club of Westhampton similarly awarded Aram their highest honor, the Paul Harris Fellowship, in appreciation for his significant and tangible assistance in achieving the Rotary’s charitable goals. As vice commodore of the Westhampton Yacht Squadron, Aram volunteers his time and his boat to facilitate sailing activities and racing for children and adults with clubs as far away as Hempstead Bay."

Aram has one daughter, Mara, a graduate of Westhampton Beach High School.

Fleming also spoke of his dedication: "Aram's charitable work over many years has been recognized by both the Rotary and Kiwanis. His generosity has had a positive impact on young people, and has made our community stronger."

The Parade Committee thanked the Village of Westhampton Beach, the Westhampton Beach Fire Department, the police department and department of public works for their support of the Parade.