Relay for Life

Mrs. Gilles was born in Bayshore.  She attended Dowling College and became a registered nurse. Mrs. Gillies worked at Central Islip Hospital and then later at Bayview Hospital in Mastic.

Mr. Gilles always had a dream of opening his own marina.  In 1965 that dream became a reality.  What is now Senix Marina at 50 Senix Avenue in Center Moriches, was built from scratch.  They bought an old duck farm and after getting approval from the Town of Brookhaven, they dug their first canal. The Gillieses had to hire an archeologist in case they found any artifacts when they dug. Later they added a second canal. It cost the Gillieses a lot of money to build the Senix Marina but, Mrs. Gillies believes it was worth it because they grew with the marina and the marina grew with them.

There were a lot of parties at the Marina. It began with women’s tournaments. Five or six women would go out on a boat and they would be provided with lunch and cocktails. They also hosted the blessing of the fleet.  About 300 people would go and everybody would bring food. The local clergy were put on boats and paraded out to the bay. They would then put a wreath at the inlet.