I have been a resident of Williston Park since 1963. My parents in their second attempt at the American dream found Williston Park when we rented a house on Burkhard Avenue. I say second attempt because during their first grasp, the new home they purchased in New Jersey was sold due to the economy and a job loss my father experienced due to a closing Ford motor company plant.
My parents came to New York looking for work and a place to raise their growing family. Immediately Joan and Verley Farrell made friends with the Ottens and Breens, the Lyons and O’Connells, and were expecting a new baby to accompany Eugene, Susan, Timothy and Kathleen. Shortly they found their new affordable dream in a Chatlos colonial on Capitol Avenue. We moved in July 1964, just in time for Patricia’s arrival.
Like so many before us and since, families would expand and contract. My parents had a bonus child, Sean Michael in June 1968, and through the years we had three grandparent’s sharing our home, sometimes I wonder how we did it.
This was a great place to grow, St. Aiden’s Church, the Early Perkins, the Williston Park Little League – my first baseball coach Mr. Rogan, and the Williston Park Pool. There were more friends, from Capitol Avenue, many still here – everyone knows Bob and Eileen Cunningham (now residing in Arizona), the Siebts, and the Marons, Gene and Bernadette Kiernan (the proud parents to Williston Park’s own son John), the Ortners and Baileys the Hedricks and Hallers the Mascis and Lantzs the Nelsons and Wheelers, the Connolly’s and the Krumbiegles, the Burkes, Henry and Anita Ruesing – wow the memories! And like the Farrells many of these families had 5 and 6 children, it was a very busy block (especially when as all those kids started to drive).
After school, I joined the New York City Police Department, and served with the elite Emergency Service Unit. Twenty-one years flew by while enjoying the bliss WP has to offer. I retired and for the next 8 years I went to work for the US Department of Homeland Security specializing in counter terrorism and emergency management. I was recruited by Bank of America in 2008 and serve as senior vice president directing Enterprise Resiliency.
This is still a great place to grow. When my time came to look for the American dream, I found it right here, with my wife Tina, we are raising four sons. We are parishioners of St. Aiden’s, we have been involved with the Fire Department, CYO sports, the little league, the PTA, and if any of you have boys involved in Scouts, you know Tina as the engine behind Pack and Troop 201, I have been assistant Scoutmaster for the past 11 years. Many of the families on Capitol Avenue have changed, and we have been so fortunate for the new families that now make Capitol Avenue Williston Park, their home.
The election season is upon us and we are fortunate to have many great candidates. Two from Capitol Avenue! Susan Redding and Kevin Rynne are two of 5 outstanding candidates running for Trustee.
We all may have experienced “6 degrees of separation”, let me share one. In my early years with the NYPD I was assigned to the 109th Precinct in Flushing Queens. There I met a veteran officer named John Rynne. Officer Rynne was an experienced professional often used to break-in new officers. He was a proud man, always talking about his family, and eager to show the new kid the ropes! I left the 109 in 1985, and always carried the wisdom learned from these formative years.
In 1991 another family found Williston Park, Kevin, Maryanne and baby Thomas Rynne moved into the Fitzgerald house. During our first meeting I asked if Kevin was related to Police Officer John Rynne, he replied “Officer John Rynne is my father”. This was a good start to a great friendship.
Kevin and Maryanne would have two more children, William and Bridget. Our children grew up becoming great friends and our families enjoying all Williston Park has to offer. We became the next generation spending the summers vacationing at the pool, participating with little league, the scouts and school events. And we got involved. Kevin was always pitching in, at Cub pack nights and camping weekends at Christopher Morley Park with the Scouts, in little league and with our annual block parties (Kevin is a natural at soliciting help). Kevin never shies away from work, and most often was the first to pitch in and lead. Kevin worked on the things that make Williston Park a great neighborhood, and that’s the activities.
Kevin is employed by the United States Postal Service, he climbed the corporate ladder and is currently Postmaster in Hempstead. He has gained experience in managing people, finance and resources. He shares his knowledge and experience in all he has done as a volunteer with the organizations he has supported. He was President of the Williston Park Little League and held numerous positions with Boy Scout Troop 201, as a merit badge counselor and committee chairperson. He has spent countless weekends on campouts, and has donated many vacation weeks with over 30 Boy Scouts annually from Troop 201 at summer camp. Kevin lives the Scout oath and law, and has been a wonderful role model for our Scouts. Kevin is a tireless volunteer supporting school activities especially the Herrick’s wrestling program and the Herricks Boosters. Kevin is inspiring our youth to participate in all a community has, and excel in their achievements. Mr. Rynne’s actions reveal a person committed to the safety, health, comfort and welfare of the youth of Williston Park.
Kevin has demonstrated he has the knowledge, ability and commitment to be our trustee. I offer my humble endorsement, please join me in supporting a person who knows how to roll up his sleeves, pitch in and get the job done. Vote on March 16.
Timothy Farrell
