Nobody — including the man himself — can remember quite how many years Andy Damiani has been a member of the advisory board for the Salvation Army in Suffolk.

Salvation Army records confirm he’s been a guiding force for that organization locally for more than 30 years, but they, along with Damiani and other longtime board members, tend to think he’s been there a lot longer. However long the history, the organization gave the former Suffolk mayor the well-deserved honor of making him a life member of the board on Tuesday.

Mr. Downtown is feeble these days, and he has a hard time getting around like he used to — folks are sadly not likely to see him out wandering the sidewalks of Downtown Suffolk again — but his memories of those old days come flooding back with just a little prodding from those who would like to know a bit more.

He remembers allowing the Salvation Army to move, rent-free, into one of his buildings on Pinner Street decades ago. That was before there was any Bank Street location, and Damiani recalls the work that went into building the first portion of that current headquarters facility.

He remembers it well, in part because he was heavily involved in the effort, but also, he said, because the Salvation Army does such good work for the Suffolk community.

“One of the things we did for our community was the Salvation Army,” Damiani said. “It’s deserving. The Salvation Army does so many things that go along without a whole lot of fanfare. The Salvation Army is more than just ringing a bell.”

With board members changing through the years, not to mention the Salvation Army’s policy of moving its leadership around from time to time, there are few left who remember the this fine Suffolk leader began helping to guide this fine Suffolk organization.

But one thing is sure: His fingerprints are all over the organization that serves this city today. Much as Andy Damiani still loves his city, the Salvation Army still shows its love for Suffolk and its less-fortunate residents every day.

We see Damiani all over it, and we can think of no better way to have honored him this week.