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Patchogue is grieving another devastating loss with the passing of Patti Seal, the village’s former longtime clerk. Seal, who served 15 years as clerk of her hometown, passed away on Saturday, March 15. She was 68.
The beloved administrator’s death came just days after the village lost longtime trustee Joe Keyes, 73, on March 10. Keyes had been named the grand marshal of Patchogue’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, coming up on March 23.
Seal was first elected as a village trustee in 2004 before stepping into the role of clerk in 2005, a position she held until her retirement in 2020. She was awarded for her dedication to Patchogue when she was named New York state’s Clerk of the Year in 2018.
The Village of Patchogue announced her passing in a statement on Facebook, saying, “Patti loved her ‘village family’ and worked tirelessly for the residents of Patchogue Village.”
Seal’s commitment to public service was matched by her ability to bring people together. In a 2018 interview with Greater Long Island, she reflected on her work, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and community.
“I wanted that feeling of family [among the clerk’s office staffers] and being on the same team and helping each other out no matter what — and that’s exactly what happened,” she said.
Seal also spoke about her passion for helping others.
“I’m very good at talking people off the ledge. I like to be able to diffuse a situation … and turn that person around to have them leave with a better experience. That’s the most rewarding experience in the world,” she said in 2018.
When she announced her plans to retire in June 2020, she said she looked forward to a new chapter, hoping to continue assisting others in a different capacity.
“My plan is to get my real estate license, travel, not be as tied to the five days a week thing,” she said. “I do love people, and I love to help people. That’s the best part of the job, to be able to make a difference in someone’s life, for whatever reason … To squashing a ticket over a mistake, to making someone understand the new sewer project on the south end.”
Seal’s friend Patti Kelly on Monday left a heartfelt message about Seal on Facebook.
“Patti loved her job. She loved her co-workers. She loved her community. She was always so happy. She always said how blessed she was,” Kelly wrote. “She was a dear friend who helped me through my darkest days. She was proud to serve as our Village Clerk and did an amazing job. She will be missed by so many. Rest in Peace and thank you for all that you did to make our Village a better place.”
At this time, funeral arrangements have not been announced for Seal.
