The postponement of this year’s New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a disappointment to millions, especially to the Long Islander who was named the parade’s grand marshal.

For the first time in its 259-year history, the parade has been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

James Callahan, of Lindenhurst, was named grand marshal last fall. He is a longtime spectator of the parade and the general president of a union representing more than 400,000 members.

"It's a great honor for someone who grew up on Long Island,” he says.

The parade typically draws more than 2 million spectators and has 250,000 participants in it. Officials called for the postponement in hopes to limit potential coronavirus exposure.

While Callahan is disappointed, he says he understands it’s a matter of public health.

"To put that many people in a crowd, it would really be heartbreaking if someone took ill as a result,” he says.

As of now, he's still set to ring the Nasdaq closing bell Friday.

He also says he's still waiting to hear if other activities, including a St. Patrick's Day Mass, will go on as scheduled.