In Memory of Long Island Cares' Board Member and Friend Scott Martella

Long Island Cares, Inc. is deeply saddened by the tragic death of our former Board member and friend Scott Martella, who died in a devastating automobile accident on the Long Island Expressway yesterday morning. Scott served on our Board of Directors from April 2011 through December 2013, and was the youngest member of the Board at the time of his appointment. Scott stepped down from the Board to avoid a conflict of interest with his role as Suffolk County Representative for Governor Andrew Cuomo, since the organization contracts with New York State to administer the state’s Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program for the Long Island Region.
Speaking on behalf of everyone at LIC, our CEO Paule Pachter said, “Scott was a very bright and dedicated young professional with a passion for politics and a desire to become involved in charitable work on Long Island. He frequently visited our main facility and distribution center in Hauppauge and took part in several of our special events. Most notable was his attendance our annual Government Affairs Breakfast, where his presence was always felt among the many Board members and Legislators that attended the December event. During the course of our six-year friendship, I watched Scott begin his assent into the field of politics when he was appointed to the staff of former State Senator Brian X. Foley, and then following Foley’s unsuccessful re-election bid, when he was appointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo to serve as his Suffolk County Representative. I saw an energized young professional who loved his work and enjoyed appearing with the Governor during his many trips to Long Island, including a Thanksgiving visit to Long Island Cares to deliver turkeys. His next assignment as Director of the Labor Department brought him new opportunities and challenges which he handled well, and we spoke about opportunities to expand his professional circles and reputation in a whole new area. Scott and I spoke when he announced that he was joining Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone’s staff as a spokesperson. I saw this latest career move as an exceptional opportunity for him to expand upon what he had already mastered in his short but impressive career. He joined County Executive Bellone this past May 25th at Long Island Cares for the public rollout of our second Children’s Breakfast Food Truck and we spoke more about his upcoming marriage to his fiancée Shelbi who was always part of our conversations.”
The Board of Directors and staff of Long Island Cares, Inc. extend our deepest condolences to the Martella Family, Scott’s fiancée Shelbi Thurau, her family, and the families of the others lost in the accident at this very difficult time. We join with Governor Andrew Cuomo and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone in remembering a talented and dedicated young man who left a lasting impression on everyone he worked with. We are deeply saddened that our region will not have the opportunity to witness the future accomplishments that Scott Martella would have achieved.