Two canals named to honor renowned Freeporters

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Two canals in Freeport were named in honor of Freeporters John Remsen and Angie Cullin earlier this month. On Sept. 9, canal number four was renamed Remsen Canal by Freeport Mayor Robert Kennedy and members of the Freeport Board of Trustees for Remsen’s service to the country and to the community.
John Remsen is a lifelong resident of Freeport, living in the same house for over 60 years. He is a Freeport school alumnus and a Korean War veteran. Remsen is one of the few men on Long Island who build garveys, a traditional flat-bottom boat used by baymen and recreational fishermen in the shallow South Shore waters of Nassau and Suffolk counties. During his lifetime he has built more than 100 garveys. Like generations before him, John has spent his whole life maintaining a traditional way of life and even built his own bayhouse in 1954. Remsen and his wife, Grace, are also active in supporting the preservation of maritime culture in Freeport and volunteering for Operation SPLASH. Remsen is also an active member of the Freeport American Legion.


On Sept. 16, canal number five was named in honor of Freeporter Angelina Cullin, the first woman in the history of the Town of Hempstead to be elected to the Town Board. She served as a Councilwoman until being appointed Receiver of Taxes in 1993, another first for a woman in Hempstead Town. She returned to her position as councilwoman in the Fifth Councilmanic District in 2001, where she served until her resignation last year. “She is a dedicated leader, inspiring and feisty and has done so much for the village of Freeport,” Kennedy said.


Cullin also worked with many local organizations including the Freeport PAL, Freeport Mercy Medical Center, Operation Pride and the Freeport Arts Council, now the Long Island Arts Council at Freeport.