Mattituck Chamber Names Ray Nine Man of the Year

At 72, Mattituck resident Ray Nine is still as hardworking and involved in the community as ever, even in the face of a fight with Parkinson’s Disease — the reason he decided to resign from the Mattituck Chamber of Commerce early this year after decades of involvement.

But no matter if he’s a member or not a member these days, the chamber honored Nine as its Man of the Year Monday night at a Christmas party at Vineyard Caterers in Aquebogue, not only for his success as a businessman in the trash collection and gravel business over the years but for his years of just being active in the community — in the chamber, in the Mattituck Fire Department (he still goes out on calls), and the Mattituck Presbyterian Church to name a few.

“Ray is wonderful,” said Mattituck Presbyterian Pastor George Gaffga. “There’s not a time when I don’t get a hug from this brother of mine.”

Eastern Long Island Hospital representative Eileen Solomon presented Nine a proclamation for his years of service out on emergency calls, and Southold Town Supervisor also presented Nine an award.

“We all know what a wonderful place Southold Town is, but let’s face it, what makes Southold great are people like Ray Nine,” Russell said.

Read a profile of Nine on the Suffolk Times website here.