Wally Broege, 78, led Suffolk County Historical Society for more than three decades

Wallace Broege, of Baiting Hollow and Islamorada Florida, longtime executive director of the Suffolk County Historical Society, died March 16, 2024 in Florida. He was 78 years old.

Broege was at the helm of the Riverhead-based nonprofit organization for 32 years.  He first came to the historical society as a volunteer in 1975. He was tapped as the organization’s first full-time executive director in 1979. 

He loved his job.

“I can’t think of anything else I would rather have done, anywhere else I would rather have worked,” Broege said at his retirement luncheon at the Dark Horse Restaurant in June 2011, adding “It hasn’t been like work.”

Riverhead Landmarks Preservation Commission Chairman Richard Wines worked with Broege on several projects, one of which led to the establishment of the Downtown Riverhead historic district. 

“Wally was really wonderful to work with,” Wines said in an interview this week. “He loved Suffolk County history and was always very helpful with everything we were trying to accomplish in Riverhead regarding historic preservation,” he said.

Kathryn Curran, who succeeded Broege as executive director of the Suffolk County Historical Society and, after retiring from teaching, was hired by Broege as the society’s curator. She held that post until Broege retired three years later, when she succeeded him as executive director.

“He was terrific to work with,” Curran said this week. Broege gave her free range with exhibitions and  supported her in every exhibition she wanted to mount in the museum space. “I never heard the ‘no’ word,” Curran said. “He was very open-minded and creative.”

Former historical society board president Bob Barauskas said Broege “laid the groundwork for all the organization would accomplish in the future.”

Victoria Berger, the current executive director of the Suffok County Historical Society, expressed the organizations sadness at the passing of its trail-blazing former executive director.

“Wally approached his role with a passion for elevating the level of professionalism throughout the museum,” Berger said. Aiming to improve services and access to the community, Broege “invested heavily into improving methods for the indexing and cataloging of the society’s collections, while devoting  countless hours of his time conducting research to gain a deeper understanding of our holdings,” she said.

“Wally left an indelible mark on this museum, and will forever be remembered fondly and with great respect for the contributions he made to the Suffolk County Historical Society,” Berger said.

Born in Mount Vernon, New York on Nov. 3, 1945, Broege was the only child of Wallace and Irene Broege. 

Broege met his future wife Jane Faynor while working as a lifeguard at a country club where she worked as a locker room attendant. They married in 1968.

He began attending Suffolk County Community College before entering the U.S. Air Force in 1971. After his discharge, the couple moved to Suffolk County, where he continued studying at the community college. He later earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Stony Brook University.

After Broege took his job at the historical society, the couple settled in Wading River in 1980. They raised a family of three children.

The couple bought a home in Oak Hills, in Baiting Hollow about 10 years ago. They had a winter home in Islamorada in the Florida Keys.

Broege was an avid scuba diver and became a scuba instructor. He also enjoyed woodworking. After he retired, he enjoyed babysitting for his four grandchildren, his wife said. 

Broege loved dogs. The couple raised puppies for Canine Companions in Medford and the Guide Dog Foundation in Smithtown — 13 dogs in all.  

In addition to his wife, Broege is survived by his children, Donald, Amanda McBrien (Michael) and Douglas. He is also survived by four grandchildren.

Interment will take place on April 19 at Calverton National Cemetery, to be followed at 12 noon by a memorial service in Oak Hills, Baiting Hollow, either at the Broege home or, weather permitting, at a park area in the community overlooking the L.I. Sound. All are welcome.

Memorial donations may be made to Canine Companions or the Guide Dog Foundation.