Listen to this articleRobert J. Creighton, a former Suffolk County police commissioner and Smithtown councilman, died on July 17 at the age of 86 after a long illness.
Creighton began his career at the U.S. Post Office in Kings Park, working there until joining the newly formed Suffolk County Police Department, entering its first class in 1961. After 20 years, he went on to serve in other roles, including as chief investigator for the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and as Suffolk County Police commissioner. In 2007, he was elected a Town of Smithtown councilman.
Creighton earned degrees from and attended Farmingdale State College, City University of New York and Stony Brook University, as well as the FBI Academy. Later, he served as an adjunct professor.
Creighton was born in Washington Heights in New York City. He was one of seven children born to Elizabeth (Spellman) Creighton, from Ballyhaunis, County Mayo, Ireland, and Edward Creighton, from the west side of Manhattan, whose roots are found in County Louth, Ireland.
After his graduation from the LaSalle Academy in Manhattan, Robert J. Creighton served for three years in the U.S. Navy above the aircraft carrier USS Hornet, and was honorably discharged in 1958. He went on to settle in Kings Park, where he met Geraldine Donnelly, his future wife, on a blind date. They married in St. Joseph’s Church, and lived in Kings Park ever since.
He is survived by his wife Geraldine, and their five children, including his son Bob, the managing partner of the law firm Farrell Fritz, and his wife Cathy Mallarkey Creighton of Smithtown; daughter Denise of Kings Park; daughter Deirdre and her husband Kevin Slatterly of Smithtown; daughter Erin of Pennsylvania; and daughter Kerry in New Jersey. He had nine grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Saint Anthony’s High School Padre Pio Fund at Saintanthony’sdevelopment.org In Robert J. Creighton’s name.