Living in East Rockaway

Look what’s Happening

Courtesy Theresa Devlin Top Photo: During the peak of the coronavirus, residents of East Rockaway, Lynbrook and surrounding villages and towns displayed lawn signs to show support for essential workers, and the proceeds of the sign sales have gone to houses of worship and food pantries. Above, Mason, left, and Javon Devlin of East Rockaway.

Courtesy Vince Roth Middle Photo: East Rockaway residents Autumn, Violet and Oliver Roth started hosting virtual pizza parties during the quarantine, and eventually got more families and local businesses to participate.

Courtesy Ivy Reilly Bottom Photo: As a way to lift the community’s spirits during the quarantine in April, Eric Reilly, 12, played “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” on four different instruments, including the violin, for his East Rockaway neighbors.

A small village stays strong

East Rockaway is a one-square-mile village comprised of residential homes, apartments, condos and waterfront cottages. Its main business and shopping districts are on Main Street and Atlantic Avenue. Though small, the tight-knit community has come together in tough times, including Hurricane Sandy and during the coronavirus pandemic. East Rockaway Mayor Bruno Romano said he was proud that the village came together during the pandemic. “We must all be vigilant and understand that the virus could resurge again,” he said. “We must continue to stay safe.”

East Rockaway is known for its ecletic styles of upscale houses, old-fashioned capes and newly raised homes that are still being reinforced against future storms after they were damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

Originally named Near Rockaway, the village began as a shipping and trading center for Long Island’s South Shore. The location was ideal for ships because of its deep inland channels.

The community prospered in shipping and milling over the years, even after several sales of the land. The village’s name was changed in 1869 to East Rockaway, and was incorporated in 1900, with Floyd Johnson as its president. At the time of incorporation, the village had a population of 969.

East Rockaway has a population of about 9,800. The Village of East Rockaway is in the Town of Hempstead, and is adjacent to Lynbrook, Hewlett and Oceanside.

The village is governed by a five-member elected board, including a mayor and four trustees. The area is protected by the 4th Precinct of the Nassau County Police Department, and the East Rockaway Auxiliary Police. Fire and ambulance services are provided by the all-volunteer East Rockaway Fire Department.

Village businesses and individuals are welcome to join the East Rockaway Chamber of Commerce. Several local businesses offered take-out and outdoor dining after the pandemic hit and returned to outdoor dining this summer.

Local houses of worship include St. Raymond’s Catholic Church, Bethany Congregational Church, the Nazarene Church and the Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre, many of which offer virtual services and have recently reopened.

Many residents enjoy the Town of Hempstead’s Hewlett Point Beach, in Bay Park, and the John Street Complex, which was renamed to honor late village activist Frank Pignataro in April 2017. It includes facilities for baseball, basketball and flag football. Each winter, a holiday festival, including a tree and menorah lighting, are held on the grounds of Village Hall, and in the summer Memorial Park is a popular place for gatherings and special events.

The East Rockaway Public Library offers book and video lending and rentals, children’s programs and activities, many of which are now virtual.

Notable people from East Rockaway include Gary Giddins, screenplay writer for Bing Crosby’s “A Pocketful of Dreams”; Reid Gorecki, a former Major League Baseball player; and actors Brian Keith (“Family Affair”) and Don Murray, who costarred with Marilyn Monroe in “Bus Stop.”