Three years have passed since the tragedy that claimed the life of former Southold Town Councilman John Romanelli, but for the many who loved him, his vibrant memory lives on.
To honor his life and rich legacy, Eastern Long Island Hospital is honoring Romanelli at the 23rd Annual Golf Classic, to be held on Wednesday, May 15 at Gardiner’s Bay Country Club on Shelter Island.Participation in the John Romanelli Memorial Golf Classic directly supports patient care, specifically the Emergency Department, a service vital to all 25,000 year-round North Fork and Shelter Island residents and summer visitors, ELIH said in a release.
“Well-respected by his peers, John Romanelli was a family man, a businessman and a community leader,” Paul J. Connor III, President/CEO of ELIH, said. “We are all honored to pay tribute to John especially for this milestone anniversary year when ELIH celebrates 110 years.”
Romanelli, who was born and raised in Farmingdale and summered for many years in Mattituck, made his mark on Southold Town. Living in Southold full-time since 1988, Romanelli was a councilman and as president of Burt’s Reliable, Inc.
After he died following a tragic accident outside his fuel company, friends shared memories of the man who had often extended credit to customers unable to pay. Mourners at his wake stood for hours, lining up blocks beyond the funeral home in frigid cold temperatures to pay respect to a friend who was known for his infectious smile and ready laughter.
“Everyone who had the opportunity to know John remembers his impact on the North Fork. This year’s Golf Classic Committee is a group of business leaders that admire John’s vision of community. John was outspoken and gregarious and always willing to lend a hand,” Walter J. Krupski, Jr., Golf Classic co-chair said. “He stepped forward for the Greenport American Legion Post, the restoration of the Brecknock Hall mansion at Peconic Landing and supported all of the hospital’s fundraisers.”
Romanelli, 47, was badly burned when a trucking company was attempting to unload bio-fuel into a tank at Romanelli’s business on Youngs Avenue. A connection valve that distributed the fuel from the truck to the tank was frozen, police said. Romanelli attempted to thaw the valve with a torch, according to a police report. As he did so, the rubber pipe connecting the valve to the truck came loose, causing the fuel from the truck to spray onto Romanelli, who caught fire as a result.Employees at Romanelli’s company tried desperately to save him, using fire extinguishers to douse the flames burning Romanelli’s clothing, police said.
He was treated at the scene by Southold Fire Department EMTs before being airlifted to Stony Brook, where he was listed in critical condition and later died from his extensive injures.
First elected in 1997, Romanelli served two four-year terms on the Southold Town Board, where he was passionate in his efforts to preserve open space and provide affordable housing to residents. He mounted an unsuccessful challenge for supervisor against incumbent Josh Horton in 2003. When he chose not to run again, Romanelli said he hoped to spend more time with his wife and children, whom he adored.
After his death, a community mourned. Ed Dart of Dart’s Tree Farm erected an illuminated comet that shone in the night sky. He dedicated the tribute to a man whose light continues to shine in the countless lives he touched.
Highlights of the ELIH event include 18 holes of golf with tournament and hole-in-one prizes, a barbecue lunch, grab and go sandwiches at halfway, cocktails, dinner and an awards ceremony.
“Due to the growing popularity of the event and the fact that we are remembering John, we anticipate this Golf Classic to sell out early,” David Fujita, Golf Classic co-chair said. “In an effort to accommodate as many golfers as possible and speed play, we are offering two tee time options, a morning start at 8:30 a.m. and an afternoon start at 1:30 p.m.. Tickets will also be available to attend the dinner for family and friends including John’s wife, Heather, a former employee of ELIH, and his children, Tara and Ethan.”
Sponsorships are vital to the success of the event, ELIH said; all sponsorship opportunities offer signage on the course, media recognition, pre and post event publicity, commemorative scroll inscription and an ELIH website listing. Event sponsors to date include title sponsor, Bridgehampton National Bank. The cost for individual golfers is $295. Dinner tickets are $100 per person. For more information, call 631-477-5164 or visit www.ELIH.org/Golf.
