Lauded as one of Fire Island's most tireless advocates, former Davis Park Association President Lou Pennachio passed away on April 4. He was 92.

Born on July 28, 1918, Pennachio, who lived in Manhattan at the time of his death, served as the DPA's president from Sept. 1977 through Sept. 1995. Pennachio was also a long-time member of the Fire Island Association, serving a vice president and secretary. Pennachio was most recently a director emeritus on FIA's Board of Directors.

Current DPA President John Lund credits Pennachio with taking "our community in new directions." Pennachio actively sought a 1981 zoning code that prompted lawsuits over multi-family home conversions. He was instrumental in the Davis Park Fire Department's restructuring, and helped facilitate the creation of the community's beach erosion control district.

Pennachio often served as a liaison between Davis Park residents and town, county, state and Fire Island National Seashore officials on ferry contracts, beach management, mosquito control and a host of other issues. He also helped broker an agreement in the mid 1990s that allowed the Suffolk County Water Authority to buy out the private company that had previously delivered water to Davis Park.

"Lou Pennachio was there to lead the charge for information and details about all issues," said Lund. "His enormous vault of Fire Island knowledge, interesting wit and ability to communicate with and inspire others to volunteer and participate will be missed."