News

Raymond Mazgulski — Riverhead’s own George Bailey — dies at 88

SCNB COURTESY PHOTO | Raymond Mazgulski in an undated photograph.

Longtime Suffolk County National Bank president Raymond Mazgulski of Mattituck died Tuesday, May 29. He was 88.

Mr. Mazgulski worked at the bank since 1947 and served as its president and CEO from 1975 to 1987.

“Uncle Ray. That’s what everyone called him,” said Jim Stark of Riverhead, whose family has been involved in the bank. “Ray was banker of bankers. He knew the industry, he knew about financing and he knew the community. He wasn’t the type of bank president who would hide away in the closet. He was always out in the community, attending affairs and meeting people, and his office door was always open and he would say good morning to everybody.”

Mr. Mazgulski started out at the bank as a consumer loan clerk and worked his way up the ladder, eventually becoming bank president, according to the Riverhead-based bank’s executive vice president, Frank Filipo.

“Having joined the SCNB team in 1994, I personally got to know Ray in the latter part of his banking career,” Mr. Filipo said. “He was a true community banker in every sense of the word. He knew everyone in the company, and just about every customer who did business with us.

“Ray was a huge influence on SCNB as it grew to prominence in Long Island’s banking community,” he continued. “We still have many employees who were here at SCNB during Ray’s tenure, and he will be missed by all.”

Mr. Mazgulski served as chairman of the board from 1980 to 1996, and he was bank president and CEO from 1975 to 1987. He was on the bank’s board of directors from 1965 to 2000, Mr. Filipo said.

Mr. Mazgulski was instrumental in the bank’s move from its old headquarters on Main Street, in the building where WRIV 1390 AM studios are now located, to Second Street, Mr. Stark said.

“Ray may have retired years ago, but he never stopped working for the bank,” said John Galla, who has worked with the bank for many years. He likened him to George Bailey, the kind-hearted banker played by Jimmy Stewart in the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

“He was a fine gentleman and this is a great loss,” Mr. Stark said.

A wake for Mr. Mazgulski is scheduled for Friday, June 1, from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, June 2, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church in Mattituck. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart R.C. Cemetery in Cutchogue.

[email protected]

Looking to comment on this article? Send us a letter to the editor instead.