Walking with us: 4th Avenue to be renamed in honor of EN resident Fred Hughes
East Northport resident Fred Hughes in his signature orange hat. 4th Avenue was renamed in his honor this past Friday, May 31. Photo courtesy Jessica Greenbaum.
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A special street dedication ceremony took place the morning of Friday, May 31 at the intersection of 7th Street and 4th Avenue to honor the legacy of East Northport resident Fred Hughes. His granddaughter, Jessica Greenbaum, wrote the Huntington Town Board in October 2022, requesting the designation for a man she described as “the most influential person” she had ever known. Below is an account of Fred Hughes’ legacy, written by Greenbaum for the Northport Journal.
Fred Hughes was born in 1928 and was a true kind-hearted individual who always wanted to help others. Fred met his wife Shirley and got married in 1951; they had six beautiful children together (Fred, Lynn, Lori, Lisa, Lois and Wayne).
From working in the plumbers union for the Town of Huntington, to serving his country in the navy and joining the East Northport Fire Department, Fred had a huge heart that inspired him to give back.
When he wasn’t working or volunteering, he was walking. Shirley would not walk with him, but would sometimes pick him up along his route. Or when Shirley would drive to get her hair done, Fred would walk to the salon and drive his beautiful wife home. Everyday he would walk for hours on end.
One day, as any normal day would start, Fred decided to go on a walk. Shirley hadn’t been in contact with him for a bit and started to get worried. She decided to drive around and look for him and caught a glimpse of what she thought to be her husband. Shirley pulled over to pick him up. It was not her husband, but a complete stranger whom she invited into her car. After finding her Freddy, and from that day forward, Fred wore a bright orange hat so that everyone would know he was “our Fred.”
It was kind of like playing Waldo – you would be driving home and see an orange hat bopping in the wind, striding home. This hat was his staple. He would wear it to sleep, in the car, on his walks, and even around the house. Everyone in our family, our neighbors and friends knew that if they saw an orange hat, it was our grandfather.
Fred Hughes walked until he succumbed to his illnesses in July 2022, but that didn’t stop the orange hat tradition. Every new family member born into the Hughes family has taken a photo with an orange hat.
I sent a letter in October 2022 (the week of my 21st birthday) to the town as I was supposed to be studying for an exam. Somehow I felt his presence and decided to write his story. I am so glad Huntington allowed this to happen, and Theresa Mari and Michelle Wright helped make it happen. The Hughes family couldn’t be more thankful.
Having Huntington dedicate 4th Avenue in East Northport to Fred Hughes is an absolute honor. Fred walked for 70-plus years on the street and now I know he is walking with us. 4th Avenue is his and I know he’s walking on – and proud of me.
