The man whose name has become almost synonymous with Christopher Columbus in these parts has been named the Dante Society of Westerly’s 2017 Person of the Year.

Westerly native Joseph Potter, the president of the Permanent Columbus Day Parade Committee, will be honored by the society at its annual banquet Sept. 8 at The Haversham. His legacy of public service includes a six-year stint serving Westerly in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, two years as the town treasurer, and president of the Rotary Club of Westerly.