A Smith Point Beach lifeguard was honored Thursday for half a century of service.

Suffolk County officials surprised Tim Delaney by naming a section of the beach after him.

Delaney says he loves keeping Long Islanders safe.

“I’ve been blessed these last 50 years to work at a job I truly love,” Delaney says. “And it’s been an honor to work and to be with the best lifeguards in the country.”

The stairs that lead from the county park to the beach will now be called Tim Delaney Way.