For the past  eight years, 10 in total, Sal Felice has served as a Village of Patchogue trustee, elected twice to the position. Last week, he submitted his resignation letter to the board with tears in his eyes, but ready and eager to move forward.

“It’s probably the greatest experience of my life being involved and being a trustee,” he said. “It was really a tough decision and I am an emotional person, especially because of all the great things we have done as a board.”

Earlier this year, after 28 years in business, he and his uncle Kenny also sold his auto repair shop located on Montauk Highway in Blue Point. When asked what was next for him, he said he was unsure.

“You’re going to be sorely missed,” fellow trustee Susan Brinkman said after the board unanimously but solemnly accepted his letter.

“I am going to really miss working with Sal; he has been an important part of our team who has contributed so much over the years,” added village clerk and former trustee Lori Devlin.

“He is going to be a great loss to the village board,” Patchogue mayor Paul Pontieri added. “He was just a great resource.”

Felice will be exiting the board as of Dec. 1.