_________________ WANTAGH ________________
HERALD
IS IT TIME FOR A HEARING CHECK-UP?
EPIC Family Gala supports services
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Vol. 74 No. 14
APRIl 2 - 8, 2026
ologists
Dr. Thomas Recher, Au.D.
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His was a life of hospitality Wantagh Inn owner Michael Dunphy, a native of Ireland, dies at age 84 He hoped to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a police officer, but color blindThe Wantagh Inn, on Rail- ness prevented him from doing so. He moved to London in 1963, road Avenue, is the kind of place where you can enjoy a where anti-Irish sentiment meal, drink a pint of Guinness made it difficult to find work. or catch a game on television In 1969 he emigrated to New with your friends. It’s an invit- York and found work in a vibrant sports bar i n g p l a c e wh e re and club in Manyou’re always greeted with a smile, and hattan called the the man who Red Blazer. Soon embodied that hosafterward he met pitality was its his wife of 52 years, l o n g t i m e ow n e r, Geraldine. The couMichael Dunphy. ple moved to WantDunphy, an Irish agh in the early native tur ned 1970s, where they American businesraised their chils ow n e r, d i e d o n dren, Brian, Conor, March 20, at age 84. Ronan and Una. Bor n in MacIn 1981 Dunphy, room, County Cork, determined to open Ireland on April 4, h i s ow n b a r o n 1941, he was raised JIm JoNES Long Island, purby his father, Mat- Wantagh Chamber chased an old t h e w D u n p hy, a of Commerce butcher shop across member of the An from the Wantagh Garda Síochána, Ireland’s first train station, which would free-state police force. An ath- become the Wantagh Inn. lete, Dunphy excelled in Irish “Never flashy or pretensports, including hurling and tious,” read an online obituary Gaelic football. for Dunphy posted to the He long understood the O’Shea Funeral Home’s webpower of service and hospitali- site, “like its owner, the inn was ty, beginning work as a bar- built on grit, tenacity, and a back, or bartender’s assistant, Continued on page 13 in a local pub when he was 12.
By JoRDAN VAlloNE
jvallone@liherald.com
Photos courtesy Wantagh School District
Checkups and cuddles at Forest lake Kindergartners at Wantagh’s Forest Lake Elementary School brought their favorite stuffed animals to a hands-on teddy bear clinic on March 24. Led by Good Samaritan Hospital’s injury prevention coordinator, Stacey Pinto, students learned about seatbelt use, helmet safety and outdoor awareness as warm weather approaches. Then they played doctor and nurse, treating their stuffed animals using their new skills. Above, from left, were Matthew Asaro, Charles Juergens, Jane Cronin, Nora Stipanov and Riley Ferrara. At right, Indira Taylor cared for her teddy bear.
H
is kindness spoke volumes — not through words, but through actions that touched so many lives.