Judge Allen Smith, a sitting Riverhead Town Justice and longtime public servant, died Saturday at the age of 77.
Judge Smith, who suffered a heart attack in April, had served his Riverhead community for more than 45 years, including a five-year stint as Town Supervisor from 1975 to 1980.
He was first appointed to the bench in 2000 and has served in the position ever since.
In 2003, Judge Smith and Southampton Town Justice Deborah Kooperstein received approval to administer the East End Regional Intervention Court, more commonly known as the East End Drug Court, something he long held as one of his finest accomplishments. The drug court aims to treat drug offenders so they will be able to beat their addiction and become productive members of society after they are released from jail.
In recent years, Judge Smith has lobbied town officials for a larger, safer Justice Court.
The judge’s resumé lists a lifetime of public service, including stints as town attorney, Riverhead Fire Department volunteer, Riverhead Board of Education member, assistant Suffolk County district attorney and Riverhead Rotary Club member.
In January, the News-Review named him its Public Servant of the Year for his distinguished career. He is scheduled to be honored with a video tribute from the newspaper next week, which was made in advance of a People of the Year event that was canceled when the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
Friend and fellow attorney Peter Danowski said in December that he was surprised the judge had never previously received the honor.
He recalled Judge Smith’s legacy as town supervisor as “professionalizing Town Hall” by hiring “top-notch people.”
Mr. Danowski also described the judge as a “big-time fireman and really kicked butt cleaning up some really bad landlord situations [in town.]”
Judge Smith has received numerous other awards and acknowledgements over the years.
In April 2019, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Riverhead honored him and four other residents at its 18th annual Breakfast of the Stars, which recognizes people “who are quietly supporting the mission of Kiwanis, changing the world one child, one community at a time” by giving back to the community.
In 2015, the East End Emerald Society named Judge Smith grand marshal at its second annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Jamesport.
“We wanted somebody who had a track record of law and order, somebody with good moral character,” parade organizer John Cuddy said.
Former Riverhead Police Chief Joe Grattan described the judge as a major supporter of the department. He called his passing “very sad.”
“I just saw him recently coming out of the market,” Mr. Grattan said. “He and I chatted about Riverhead.”
Following his heart attack in April, having been treated among the death and despair of the coronavirus, the Judge told the News-Review he was “feeling pretty lucky.” He was eager, he said, to begin learning new technology, so he could continue to serve his community from the bench.
Editor’s Note: This post will be updated throughout the day with more reaction and more traditional obituary information.
The post Riverhead Town Justice Allen Smith, a lifelong public servant, dies at 77 appeared first on The Suffolk Times.