There is no better fit for the next Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce’s St. Patrick’s Day parade grand marshal spot than deacon Marty McIndoe. Not only does he take pride in his over 60 percent Irish heritage, but he also has an overabundant love for Patchogue.

“Deacon Marty has been on the shortlist for potential grand marshals for several years,” said chamber executive director David Kennedy of the selection process, also noting that he had first met McIndoe during his youth when he served as an altar boy at the church. “He is one of those unsung heroes in the community. He is a positive force; in a day and age when peace is less, he is there every week saying, ‘Peace be with you.’”

In his long-standing role as deacon at the St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, McIndoe has wedded people he has baptized, and baptized children of people he has wedded. Surely, many Patchogue people have been acquainted with Deacon Marty (and no, he is not just Marty, but he is specifically Deacon Marty), as he frequents local events serving prayer.

He has led multiple prayer services, blessed the poor, worked with Boots on the Ground, hosted spiritual counseling for veterans suffering from PTSD, and has served on the board of directors for the St. Joseph’s Prayer Center, as well as Halo Missions and Carroll’s Kitchen.

As for his journey into the church, McIndoe was ordained in 1980, after attending the very church he has remained as deacon for decades as a parishioner.

“It was God’s calling, that’s the best way to explain it,” he said when asked why he decided to become a deacon. He was accepted into the first class of deacons for the diocese.

As for his day job, he worked in the criminal justice system as a probation officer and moved to handling the information system. He retired from the county after 37 and a half years; he has since been retired for 12.

McIndoe grew up in Greenport, where he graduated high school in 1965. He went to college at Albany State; there, he graduated in 1969 with a bachelor’s in science and scientific management. At that time, he enlisted in the United States Army. Upon completion of service in 1971, he moved to Patchogue with his wife.

His wife, Martha, who is more Irish than he, has an over 75 percent background. The couple were high school sweethearts and have been married for 53 years. Together they adopted one child named Elizabeth, who gave them a total of three grandchildren. His eldest grandson is a Marine stationed in California. More recently, the McIndoes moved from their family home to a 55-up community in neighboring Bayport.

"I am so proud of my husband Marty not only because he is going to be the Grand Marshal of the Patchogue Village  parade but that he has served Patchogue for fifty years. Some people tell me that he is like the unofficial mayor of Patchogue, he has been an ordained deacon for over 42 years at St. Francis de Sales and has been a faithful servant. He makes me proud that he is my husband and that God put us together. I love you Marty," said his wife Martha.

McIndoe recently looked into his Irish heritage with a DNA test. He said that although a lot of his Irish background was hard to trace when the Catholic Churches were destroyed, he was able to find out he has an Irish and English background. His Irish side traces back to the 1700s, with Scottish and Irish immigrants with Walshes, O’Neills and O’Learys.

Celebrating his heritage, he and his wife always sport green on the big day, St. Patrick’s Day, and like true Irish-Americans, take part in the corned beef and cabbage meal. He also is a chaplain and member of the local Division 5 chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

“I was totally shocked and didn’t know it was coming at all,” McIndoe said of being recently notified of his selection as this year’s grand marshal. “I am overwhelmed and excited for the day. I am so happy, more than excited; I am thrilled.”

McIndoe and his wife will be waving from a convertible during the parade. He also expects some of his family members, including his daughter, to visit Patchogue for the parade.

“I see this as a way to honor my ancestors who went through an awful lot to get here,” he said, noting his family came over during the Great Hunger in the mid-1800s. “They had a rough time getting assimilated. It’s an honor.”