Vincent F. Palagiano, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer ofthe Company and Bank stated, "Our Boards are deeply saddened by theuntimely passing of our friend and colleague, Donald Walsh. During hisservice as a Director, Donald was a true professional and a great asset toour Board. All of us, including the management and staff of the Companyand Bank, extend our condolences to his family."

Mr. Walsh, age 63 at the time of his passing, is survived by two children.

Prior to joining the Company and Bank Boards, Mr. Walsh served as one ofthree partners in the Office of the Vice Chairman of Audit and AdvisoryServices of KPMG LLP ("KPMG"), and served as a Partner-in-Charge of theAudit Quality Office of KPMG from 2002 through his retirement in 2005. Mr.Walsh was a member of the American Institute of Certified PublicAccountants, the New York State Society of Public Accountants and theCommunity Bankers Association of New York, and served on severalcommunity-based Boards, as a trustee of Iona College and as a pastPresident of the Iona College Alumni Association.

ABOUT DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES

The Company (NASDAQ: DCOM) had $3.83 billion in consolidated assets as ofSeptember 30, 2008, and is the parent company of the Bank. The Bank wasfounded in 1864, is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, and currently hastwenty-two branches located throughout Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx andNassau County, New York. More information on the Company and Bank can befound on the Bank's Internet website at www.dimewill.com.

Contact:Kenneth CeonzoDirector of Investor Relations718-782-6200 extension 8279