The Kings Park Chamber of Commerce has selected their Persons of the Year for 2011 and will honor them at a dinner next month.

Recognition was given to Humanitarian of the Year, Person of the Year and Lifetime Community Service.

Longtime local businessman Charlie Vita, who began his business career at the age of 18 when he purchased his first piece of property, has been selected as the Kings Park Chamber of Commerce's Person of the Year. Vita was also once owner of Good Time Charlie’s, a tavern on Riviera, which he opened in the 70’s. Vita later went on to open the Gulf station on Pulaski Road in 1978.

Patrick Reilly and Joseph Piacentino, Jr. were selected as Humanitarians of the Year. Some may know Reilly as the guy who delivered their milk, but many might be surprised to know he was a fighter who won two Bronze Stars in WWII and once fought Sugar Ray Robinson. Reilly took his fighting spirit and helped to establish soccer as an organized sport in the community, often running the program on his own, driving, scheduling and teaching students the game.

Piacentino, who considers Reilly a mentor, continued to expand the Kings Park soccer program through coaching and managing. His efforts helped to ensure the recent enhancements to Tiffany Field.

Charles Patrick Toner, better known as Buster, received an award for Lifetime Community Service. According to the chamber, Toner’s years of service in the Smithtown Parks Department helped to establish a small staff with 15 full-time employees evolve into a staff of over 60 employees.

School nurse and lifetime Kings Park resident Peggy Gilmartin also received the award for Lifetime Community Service. Earlier this year Patch wrote about Gilmartin’s contributions to the community.

Angels Without Faces, whose motto is “Anonymously Given, Anonymously Received”, was also honored for their humanitarian service. The group, which began about six years ago, assists residents who are in need from donating prom dresses to making mortgage payments and establishing scholarships.

All recipients will be honored at a dinner on March 2nd at the Watermill Inn in Smithtown.