Jennifer Hellriegel Cantin

The Ty Hellriegel Peregrine Foundation was created in 2001. Ty Hellriegel lived, worked, and in September 2001, died on the Great South Bay. The family of this young artist sought a unique way to memorialize the spirit and sensitivity of their son and brother. They created the Ty Hellriegel Peregrine Foundation. The work of the Foundation is a memorial to Ty's loving relationship with the bay. The family sunk Ty's home, "The Peregrine" a replica Spanish galleon, in the Great South Bay, creating a home for marine life, TY'S REEF. Each year, the Foundation shares Ty's love of the sea by taking several hundred children on an annual fishing trip to Ty's Reef. Here children fish & enjoy the beauty of the Great South Bay that so inspired Ty throughout his life. For many of these children it is the first time they have been on a boat and fished. Through the work of the Ty Hellriegel Peregrine Foundation, thousands of children are now given an opportunity to fish on the reef and experience an alternative to their current life. Established in 2001, Ty's family felt that there was no better resting place for Ty, and his beloved sailboat named the "Peregrine", than the Great South Bay. In May 2002, the "Peregrine" was put to rest off the coast of Fire Island and became "Ty's Reef," a permanent home for marine life and a tribute to the artist and sailor we all loved. Through the work of the Ty Hellriegel Peregrine Foundation, thousands of children have been given the opportunity to fish on the reef. Today, Ty's Reef is a permanent monument to the spirit of the artist and sailor we all loved, and a living source of refuge & inspiration for all who venture upon it. Ty's Reef supports Send-A-Kid Fishing, Build-A-Reef Foundation, Challenger Athletics, YES Network, and local causes for the benefit of children.