Episode 106 with Joe McKay, Longtime North Fork Community Activist; Author “Crazy About Words’ and Current Resident of Peconic Landing!

Today, we sit down with Joe McKay, a man whose journey has taken him from the streets of Astoria to the heart of the North Fork. He shares stories of his upbringing, his college years, and a career that spanned from the Army to labor relations—roles that shaped his perspective on work, service, and community. He reflects on life in New York City and the pivotal decision to settle on the East End, where he discovered New Suffolk and made it his home. Joe played a key role in preserving the character of New Suffolk, opening the New Suffolk Emporium and working with the New Suffolk Waterfront Fund to fend off condo developments that threatened the area’s charm. His civic engagement continued with the New Suffolk Civic Association, and later, his move to Peconic Landing marked the start of yet another chapter—one of mentorship, teaching, and community building. As an ambassador at Peconic Landing, he remains an influential figure, shaping the lives around him. In this conversation, we explore his lifelong commitment to community, his passion for writing and teaching, and his hopes for the future of the North Fork.