For 62 years, the Montauk Friends of Erin St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been a beloved tradition by Montauk locals and visitors alike. Each year, an honored Grand Marshal leads this exciting parade. This year, this honor goes to Steven “Puck” Dolan. Read on to learn about Puck, including how he ended up in Montauk, his favorite Friends of Erin memory, and his thoughts on this year’s parade!
Tell us a little bit about yourself, Puck.
Well, I am a 71 year old retiree, I love to play golf and enjoy an adult beverage. I’ve got a couple of grandkids that I really love and I like to hang around with. And that’s about it, I am pretty simple!
How did you end up in Montauk, and why do you love being here?
I worked for the owner of the Montauket in New Rochelle, NY at a place called Rudy’s Barge. And when they sold it, they offered me a job in Montauk, and I took it! My kids were young, and it was a nice place. We liked the beach, and the rural atmosphere of everything, and it was great job.
What does it mean to you to be selected as the Grand Marshal?
It is a great honor! I always wanted to be the Grand Marshal. I was friendly with the Friends of Erin, and most of the previous Grand Marshal’s. I think it is so nice of them to show me the love that they had for me, and I am very appreciative and excited about the whole thing! I have been familiar with the Friends of Erin since I came to Montauk in 1985. I didn’t join them, as I was unable to participate in most things as I always worked at night, but I played in all of their golf tournaments. In fact, the reason I got into golf is because I won a set of golf clubs at a golf outing they held at the Montauket. I was the bartender, I bought some raffle tickets, won the set of golf clubs, and said “Well, there’s a golf course here, I’ll take up golf!”
What is your favorite Friends of Erin memory?
That is a good one .. To be honest, I don’t really know. So many of my friends have been the Grand Marshal’s. The last stop after the parade for the Friends of Erin was always the Montauket. It kind of signaled the end of the evening. And when the Grand Marshal left, we shut it down. I always liked to see the Grand Marshal at the Montauket, because I knew the party was over, and we had yet again another success St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Montauk.
What are you looking forward to most this Montauk St. Patrick’s Day Parade?
I am looking forward to seeing all the people, I know there are going to be a lot of my friends out there, and I can’t wait to make the turn and go past the Shagwong. The few parades I have been able to go to, that site is just so amazing with all the people.. I am getting a little teary-eyed even thinking of it!