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Smithtown's longtime chief, 81, still fiery

Smithtown Supervisor Patrick Vecchio listens during a town

Photo credit: Ed Betz | Smithtown Supervisor Patrick Vecchio listens during a town board meeting. (Feb. 7, 2012)

Gerry Cooney was a heavyweight contender in October 1980 when he stepped into the ring for a charity boxing match at the old Colonie Hill hotel in Hauppauge.

Across from him stood Patrick Vecchio, then 50 and in his third year as Smithtown's supervisor. Though under 6 feet tall, Vecchio wasn't content to shadow box the 6-foot-5, 224 pounder.

"Vecchio, of course, feisty little bugger,...

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