Ferry makes donation to Greenport hospital in John Romanelli’s name
Cross Sound Ferry raised a record $17,000 during this year’s annual fireworks benefit cruise and has donated almost all of that to Eastern Long Island Hospital in memory of John Romanelli, the businessman and former town councilman who died in January.
Mr. Romanelli’s family — his wife Heather; children Ethan and Tara and brother Paul — where on hand Friday when Cross Sound made the donation.
“Together with other donations received in memory of John, and this generous donation by Cross Sound Ferry, ELIH has half the funds needed to secure a lifesaving system called—Arctic Sun, a new Emergency Medical protocol endorsed by the American Hospital Association (AHA), which calls for lowering the core temperature of certain cardiac patients,” said Paul Connor, the hospital’s president and CEO. “ELIH is committed to raising the balance of the funds and dedicating the equipment in memory of John Romanelli.”
In addition to his service as a member of the Town Board, Mr. Romanelli was president of Burt’s Reliable fuel oil company in Southold. He died following an accident at the business in late December.
Mr. Romanelli was well known for his generous support of local organizations and causes.
The hospital is receiving $14,000 from the July 7 fireworks cruise. Each summer Cross Sound brings a boat full of people to watch a major fireworks show in New London and donates the proceeds to local charities.
The other $3,000 raised from this year’s event will go to scholarships for one graduating senior from each of the Mattituck, Southold and Greenport high schools.
