Monday, April 21, 2025
In a heartfelt tribute to late Town of Hempstead Councilman Chris Carini, the Hometown Boys and Girls Flag Football League ended its spring season on March 30 by renaming its championship trophies in his honor.
The dedication took place at Cedar Creek Park, where Councilman Carini was remembered not only as a public official, but also as a devoted father. According to league commissioner Wayne Raso, Carini regularly attended games to cheer on his 13-year-old son Joey, who has played in the league for eight years.
“He was a great guy with a great family,” Raso said. “He really, really cared about his community, his town, this county and this league.”
The hometown league, according to Raso, began in 2003 as a boys-only program and was rebranded in 2021 to include girls, offering flag football opportunities for young athletes throughout the Town of Hempstead. Each season runs for six to eight weeks, in the spring and fall, with games held at Cedar Creek Park and Seamans Neck Park, in Seaford, and Newbridge Road Park in Bellmore.
At the dedication ceremony, the league presented Carini’s wife, Danielle, his daughter, Ava, 18, and son with a plaque in appreciation of Carini’s efforts, and awarded $500 scholarships to his two children. The league also announced that, going forward, its championship award would be renamed after Carini.
Danielle Carini said her late husband loved the youth sports program, especially since Joey played in the league starting when he attended kindergarten.
“Chris really loved this organization,” she said. “We’ve been a part of it for eight years now, so for them to do a dedication to him is really meaningful.”
Raso said Carini was “instrumental” in keeping the league going during the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic. After the season was cut short in 2020, Carini advocated for the league’s safe return that summer, encouraging kids to get outside. Games resumed with safety measures in place, including masks and hand sanitizer.
Carini, a Seaford resident and a Republican, was first elected to the Town Board after Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney dropped out of the race six weeks before the 2019 election. The councilman served in the 5th District, representing Seaford, Wantagh, Bellmore, Merrick, Freeport, Lido Beach and Point Lookout, until he unexpectedly died last July at age 49 while visiting family in Florida.
Before Carini joined the Town Board, he was a decorated veteran of law enforcement, serving for 22 years as an officer in the New York City, Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey police departments.
Since Carini’s death, tributes have been pouring in, with community members coming together to honor his legacy. Last July, hundreds attended his funeral Mass at St. William the Abbot Church in Seaford. In November, the Seaford Chamber of Commerce held a candlelight vigil for him, drawing dozens to the lawn at Seaford High School.
His daughter said she was grateful to see how much the community has come together to honor his memory.
“Just remembering him and paying respect to him is so meaningful, because this whole thing meant a lot to him,” she said. “It’s really nice.”
Joining Carini’s family at the league tribute were several local officials, including Town of Hempstead Councilman Chris Schneider, State Sen. Steve Rhoads, Town Clerk Kate Murray and County Legislator Michael Giangregorio.
Schneider, who was appointed to fill Carini’s seat last August and later elected to a full term in November, said the tribute was a meaningful reflection of Carini’s legacy.
“He was a tremendous supporter of youth sports and a tremendous supporter of the community,” Schneider said. “It’s a well-deserved honor.”
Rhoads said that it was special for Carini to be remembered in this way, explaining that Carini was “a great guy” who was passionate and dedicated to the community, especially the flag football league.
“It’s just nice that the league is taking time out to name the championship trophy after Chris, which I know he would be thrilled about,” Rhoads said. “It’s truly special for all of us that knew him.”
