Visitors to Soldiers and Sailors Park in East Moriches have a quiet place to pause and reflect: a memorial bench dedicated to Alex and Arlette Mazarakis. For decades, the couple lived, worked, and volunteered in the community, leaving behind a legacy of service and friendship.
Alex opened a garage just down the street from the park in the 1950s, quickly becoming a fixture in the town. His son, Gary, recalled one unforgettable night in 1970 when an arsonist set the East Moriches firehouse ablaze. “My dad broke a window to get in and save one of the trucks,” he said. “He burned his hands on the chain that lifted the door and had to kick out the windshield to get in because of the flames. He made numerous trips to Kalers Pond to pick up water to fight the fire.”
Even after that night, Alex remained active with the department for decades, finally retiring at the age of 89. Gary followed in his dad’s footsteps as a fire volunteer and son, Michael, serves as a commissioner.
Arlette worked at the garage but also dedicated her career to public service. She held positions with the Brookhaven Receiver of Taxes and the Suffolk Board of Elections, and was active with the Sunrise Republican Club. Alex also served with the Lions Club, eventually as president. Together, they helped launch the EMREC sports league for local youth alongside community leaders Merv Lane, L.H. Smith, and Frog Chapman. Each holiday season, they made sure struggling families received Christmas presents.
When the couple passed away, their family, including Rick, Loretta, and Trina, requested donations for the memorial instead of flowers. Engraved bricks surround the bench with the names of friends and local veterans, while a colorful landscape and sundial add to the serenity of the scene.