Ray Coyne

A hearing officer found Ray Coyne lied about an accounting report he said was prepared by an outside firm.

Ray Coyne, who had led Riverhead's parks and recreation department since 2005, was fired Tuesday after a hearing officer found him guilty of several disciplinary charges.

Years of neglect and lack of maintenance left Riverhead Skate Park in such a state of disrepair that last spring, town officials decided it was no longer safe to use.

Riverhead’s senior citizen and recreation departments will be combined into one in a move that will increase programming and save the town about $1 million over the next five years, if a plan put together by the two department heads is approved by the town board.

The boy began crying out for help an hour after Iron Pier lifeguards are typically off-duty, but because of an evening swimming lesson, two lifeguards on the beach were able to save his life.

"Every year it just got worse and worse," said Ray Coyne, director of the town's recreation department. The park was shut down at the beginning of the year, and it's still awaiting repair.

Raymond Coyne, Riverhead Parks and Recreation Superintendent, honored by CCE for being an outstanding community partner for the betterment of community parks.