The scene at the Terrell River in East Moriches on Friday where a kayaker stuck in the mud was rescued A kayaker was rescued Friday afternoon after he sunk into the mud in the Terrell River in East Moriches The East Moriches Fire Department responded to a 911 call reporting a vessel stuck in the water around 3:18 p.m. When first responders pulled up on the east side of the river they "heard someone yelling for help" but could not see him Firefighters with the Center Moriches and Eastport departments entered the river on a pair of small boats and discovered a man and a kayak both "stuck in the mud," Ragone said "I believe he attempted to get out" and pull the kayak from the mud "and he sunk down to his upper thighs in the mud," Ragone said politics and crime stories in Suffolk County By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy The responders pulled the man out of the mud and brought him back to the shore for medical attention Ragone said the man was likely in the water 30 to 40 minutes before a 911 call was placed and first responders arrived on the scene "He was hypothermic and he couldn't really walk when we got him out," Ragone said "The water is 50 degrees...Probably another hour or so and he probably would have been in serious trouble." East Moriches Community Ambulance brought the kayaker Members of the Westhampton Beach and Mastic Beach fire departments and the Suffolk County Police Department also responded first responders reentered the water to retrieve his kayak so it was not spotted by waterfront homeowners who might then call 911 thinking someone needed to be rescued The fire chief said calls of boaters stuck in local bodies of water are "frequent" in the offseason, when warming air temperatures create an illusion of safe water conditions "People see what appears to be a nice day and they go out in their kayaks (and) canoes and they end up getting stuck or they get caught in a current and overturn," he said "The water is just too cold this time of year." Trump's influence on NY's future .. Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV Get more on these and other NewsdayTV stories The Newsday app makes it easier to access content without having to log in Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months Executive Circle Awards Aerial view of the former Spadaro Airport property in East Moriches From takeoffs to permanent landings: LI airport to become a cemetery  Sign up for your daily digest of Long Island Business News Listen to this article Long Island Business News has announced that it has chosen this year’s winn[...] The financial landscape of Long Island continues to evolve through the leadership of the remarkable [...] Long Island’s business landscape contains a remarkable tapestry of organizations that have stood t[...] Celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month by showcasing the extraordinary wo[...] Listen to this article Lorraine Gregory Communications will be holding a blood drive at its Edgewood[...] Long Island lost 3,100 construction jobs year-over-year in March ending a 12-month streak of gains,[...] Kids Empire and My Gym are opening at Mayfair Shopping Center in Commack Chick-fil-A opens its 12th Long Island location in East Meadow creating 80 jobs and supporting loca[...] Realty Three plans $120M South Village at Station Crossings with 273 rentals Amazon plans to purchase 26.7 acres of Massapequa’s Sunrise Mall site to build a new South Shore d[...] Our mission at Long Island Business News is to be the vital business news and advertising source to Long Island’s most influential readers Get our free LIBN e-alerts & breaking news notifications Subscribe for access to the latest digital and special editions Get important news about your town as it happens Get the top stories from across our network Are you sure you want to unsubscribe from daily updates Around a dozen students were sickened after ingesting marijuana gummies at a Long Island middle school A student at William Floyd Middle School in Moriches handed out edible THC gummies to around a dozen students who became ill on Monday morning the William Floyd School District confirmed Suffolk County Police and medics responded to the campus at around 11:15 a.m for reports that multiple students had overdosed 11 students were taken to local hospitals for treatment “We are grateful to our first responders for their quick response and hopeful that they will recover quickly,” the district said in a statement East Moriches is nestled between bigger communities along Moriches Bay and is a haven for boaters THE SCOOP Nestled between Center Moriches and Eastport along Moriches Bay East Moriches is a small community that shares shopping and entertainment with its close neighbors With a population of about 5,580 residents in its 5.6 square miles East Moriches has its own elementary school district but students then attend a neighboring high school "It's a quaint town," said Anna Fiore Fiore noted the community's proximity to the Hamptons and Smith Point Beach as well as Tanger Outlets and East End wineries For homes in the Newport Beach area of town residents have a private beach with a playground and a marina with slips and boat ramps Residents in the Newport Beach area pay $150 membership annually a real estate agent for Coldwell Banker Reliable Real Estate noted that the oldest fishing station on the East Coast where residents and tourists can rent boats for fishing or fun Restaurants and boutiques dot the Main Street of East Moriches and Center Moriches Popular restaurant ITA Kitchen Waterfront sits on Atlantic Avenue along the water Silly Lily Fishing Station has been in existence since 1932 an early radio station was installed at the east end of Smith Street in East Moriches which was used to communicate with ships offshore The radio waves interfered with popular radio programs at the time calling themselves the Suffolk County Radio Protective League which housed the station where the spark transmitter was used in ship communications agreed to keep silent during primetime shows but the area is still known as Radio Point frantic calls came into Suffolk County 911 reporting a plane explosion has a picnic area and children's playground Montauk Highway is home to small shops and eateries in East Moriches there were 38 home sales with a median sale price of $750,000 there were 24 home sales with a median sale price of $757,119 Monthly LIRR ticket from Mastic-Shirley or Speonk $433 Sources: 2022 American Community Survey; OneKey MLS via InfoSparks by ShowingTime; LIRR This $1.8 million East Moriches home sits on over 1 acre of waterfront property This custom home built in 2017 sits on over 1 acre of waterfront property with water views from many of the rooms 12-foot cathedral ceilings and wide-plank hardwood flooring with radiant heating kitchen and deck spanning the length of the house This $789,500 East Moriches home has an oversized pool and outdoor kitchen this renovated expanded ranch and property has three bedrooms and 1½ bathrooms the home has an oversized pool with a large eating area under a roof and a water feature on 1½ acres A family attempting to make s’mores in their backyard accidentally sparked several brush fires that burned hundreds of acres on Long Island Plumes over smoke over New York from the Long Island wildfires An aerial view of a wildfire burning on Long Island on Saturday An investigation by Suffolk County Police Arson Section detectives determined that high winds spread embers from a Manorville backyard on Cozine Road after the family attempted to start a fire for s’mores “It’s believed strong winds spurred additional fires from embers leading to the brush fires,” Suffolk County Police said Detectives are continuing to speak with witnesses and investigate tips A massive fire erupted south of the Sunrise Highway in Center Moriches at around 1 p.m. Saturday, March 8, and rapidly spread due to 35 mph winds, as Daily Voice reported igniting a massive blaze just north of Gabreski Airport The Westhampton Pines Fire burned an estimated 600 acres, prompting more than 90 different fire departments, EMS agencies, and the National Guard to respond, ABC7 reports The last of four wildfires were fully contained by Sunday morning a spokesperson for Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said Fire crews were continuing to monitor smaller smoldering areas to prevent any potential flare-ups At its peak, the wildfires stretched two miles long and 2.5 miles wide, Romaine said. Two firefighters were injured, including one who suffered a second-degree burn to their face, fire officials told ABC7 Kathy Hochul to issue a State of Emergency and outdoor burn ban through Sunday The ban was in effect for Suffolk and Nassau counties Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services urged residents to remain vigilant and avoid any potential ignition sources and Nayyar Imam at the East Moriches site last week With the number of Muslim burial plots on Long Island scarce developers are looking to open an Islamic cemetery at the site of a closed private airport in East Moriches identified in Brookhaven Town planning documents as Suffolk Muslim Cemetery would occupy a 28.3-acre property on Montauk Highway that has been unused since the 2016 closing of Spadaro Airport The airfield closed amid financial and legal problems including allegations it had violated town noise ordinances The cemetery — which would be the first state-sanctioned Muslim cemetery on Long Island and the second in New York — would hold up to 25,024 burial plots The developers hope to open it as soon as June Brookhaven developer Ghulam Sarwar and Nayyar Imam, an adviser for the Islamic Association of Long Island mosque in Selden, said they spent nearly two decades seeking a suitable location for a cemetery as burial plots for Muslims became more scarce Muslim population would more than double by 2050 Long Island's Muslim population has been estimated at 100,000 as well as some African Americans and Anglo Americans “People go to New Jersey and out of state [to bury their dead].” Muslims require special procedures for burial including having the person’s face looking toward the Islamic holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia Sarwar said the project would cost $10 million The cemetery requires Brookhaven approvals for its site layout and permits from the county and the state Department of State He and Imam credited Suffolk County Executive  Edward P Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico and Town Councilwoman Karen Dunne Kesnig with helping them locate the property Dunne Kesnig said town officials support the project but preliminary plans lacked information about landscaping A public hearing will be held later this year “The town wants it to be in a more natural state,” she said a member of the East Moriches Property Owners Association civic group said he and other residents who have viewed the plans also are concerned about landscaping “It definitely was less than what one might have anticipated and certainly less than other cemeteries in the vicinity,” Gleason said adding while he understands Muslims need a place to bury loved ones “It’s very hard to see what the benefit of the cemetery would be to the community.” Sarwar said he would add landscaping to the plans "We want to make it beautiful,” he said the East Moriches site would join a graveyard in upstate Orange County as New York's only state-authorized cemeteries reserved for Muslims New York Department of State spokesperson Mercedes Padilla said in an email There also are an unspecified number of Muslim cemeteries owned and operated by religious corporations that do not require state authorization Imam said the cemetery would be run by a nonprofit organization He estimated 25,000 plots would be sufficient for 10 to 15 years He said Washington Memorial Park Cemetery in Mount Sinai is rapidly running out of plots in its Muslim section. The section had fewer than 200 plots in 2022, Newsday previously reported “People call us that somebody died in the family," he said "We were happy that we could find this place.” Click here for Greater Long Island newsletters. Click here to download the iPhone app With the last of four Long Island wildfires under control in Westhampton Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said 25 detectives are involved in the investigation including arson detectives who are conducting aerial surveys by helicopter and interviewing all 911 callers who reported the fires it’s too early to tell whether this fire was started naturally or by some nefarious act,” Catalina said earlier today Dry weather and high winds — together with damage to woodland areas caused by the Southern pine beetle — created the perfect storm for fast-moving wildfires to ignite and spread across the Pine Barrens along the south side of Sunrise Highway over the weekend The blazes stretched from the Moriches area to Westhampton with the last having lingered around Gabreski Airport Over 90 volunteer fire and EMS agencies contributed to the effort “including 11 crews from Nassau County who stepped up to provide coverage for Suffolk County,” read a statement from Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services “Your dedication does not go unnoticed.” The weather will continue to be dry this week, with no rain in the forecast until Sunday, according to the National Weather Service Firefighters have gained control over much of the Pine Barrens wildfires that scorched hundreds of acres along Sunrise Highway this weekend but officials remain on alert as winds continue to pose a threat—and investigators work to determine how the fires started Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said Sunday that the fires which tore through 600 to 700 acres from Center Moriches to Westhampton he warned that conditions could reignite flames “We thought this fire would jump the highway we’d be facing big problems,” Romaine said The massive response effort to what officials are calling the Westhampton Pines Fire included 80 volunteer fire departments and 10 EMS units One firefighter suffered second-degree burns to his face requiring transport to Stony Brook University Hospital Another responder sustained a head injury and was taken to Peconic Bay Medical Center investigators are working to determine the fire’s origin it’s too early to tell whether this fire was started naturally or by some nefarious act,” Catalina said and federal officials—including New York City Mayor Eric Adams Chuck Schumer’s office—with helping to bring the fires under control “This shows what we can do if we work together,” he said Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico noted that the wind direction yesterday may have prevented huge losses to residential areas and business districts “While the wind fanned these flames and made the fire tougher to put out although we are sorry for what occurred in Southampton “Had this wind blown to the southwest this fire would have ravaged through potentially Eastport It could have been a very different fire had it gone into Brookhaven town.” Romaine recalled the devastating 1995 wildfire in the Pine Barrens Saturday’s fire didn’t jump across Sunrise Highway “It hit the southern part of Sunrise highway it jumped the highway and burned to the north as well as to the south So we’re very lucky,” Romaine said Crews are working to establish containment lines around the fire’s perimeter. said Suffolk County Fire Rescue Commissioner Rudy Sunderman “If we have to come back tomorrow to reach that 100 percent containment that’s with our bulldozers and payloaders from all operations and agencies going around the perimeter ensuring 100% of containment of the fire,” Sunderman said Romaine expressed concern about the longer-term threat posed by southern pine beetles which have killed “tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of trees” in the Pine Barrens over the past decade The damage from the beetle infestation provided ample fuel for the wildfires They’re fodder for a fire,” Romaine said We’re also concerned about the health of the Pine Barrens ecosystem.” Due to the lack of rain and persistent windy conditions residents are asked to refrain from all outdoor burning Top photo: Volunteer firefighters from Orient at the scene of the Westhampton wildfire Saturday evening Inset: County Executive Ed Romaine briefs the press in Westhampton Beach Long Island volunteers worked through the night in Westhampton to contain the last of four wildfires that sparked Saturday afternoon on eastern Long Island prompting an emergency response from across the region Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine is expected to update the public at 11:30 a.m Sunday from Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach emergency crews have resumed operations to address the wildfires,” according to a statement issued by Southampton Town “We are happy to report that other than some small hotspots There are hotspots and smoldering areas being addressed and emergency management is utilizing drones and air assets to identify these areas to direct response.” Arson investigators have also been dispatched to investigate the fires Click here for Greater Long Island newsletters. Click here to download the iPhone app Sunday will continue to be sunny and breezy The strong and sustained winds that helped spread the wildfires will slow down The region remains under a State of Emergency declaration Dry weather and high winds — together with damage to woodland areas caused by the Southern pine beetle — created the perfect storm for fast-moving wildfires to ignite and spread across the Pine Barrens along the south side of Sunrise Highway The blazes stretched from Moriches to Westhampton Beach Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency with the wildfires in the Pine Barrens State National Guard helicopters are providing air support and multiple state agencies are on the ground providing assistance I am issuing a State of Emergency as Suffolk County fights brush fires in the Pine Barrens. I have spoken to @ExecEdRomaine and offered any necessary State resources. We have @NationalGuardNY helicopters providing air support and multiple state agencies are on the ground One firefighter was airlifted to Stony Brook hospital with second-degree burns from battling the eastern Long Island wildfires on Saturday firefighters from across Long Island were concentrating in areas around and north of Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach The fires were “50 percent contained,” officials said “There are no residences at this time that are in the line of fire but we are monitoring that very closely from the air if that changes,” Southampton Town Police Chief James Kiernan told press assembled Saturday evening in Westhampton Beach “We’re in great hands right now; we have all our partners together working this.” Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said the fires might not be under control for several hours Two commercial structures were also damaged by the fires which broke out around Center Moriches and East Moriches around 1 p.m. Authorities did not provide details about those structures It was not immediately clear on which fire department the injured firefighter hailed from The fire has drawn help from departments across Nassau and Suffolk counties Dry weather and high winds — together with damage to woodland areas caused by the Southern pine beetle — have created the perfect storm for fast-moving wildfires to ignite and spread across the Pine Barrens along the south side of Sunrise Highway on Saturday The massive cluster of wildfires is a quarter-mile wide with blazes stretching from the Hamptons to East Moriches South Shore fire departments — from Brookhaven to Hampton Bays — are battling to the blazes as massive billowing clouds of smoke dominate much of Long Island’s skyline on Saturday The smoke can be seen from as far away as the North Fork EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Manorville firefighters enter the thick of one of Saturday’s massive wildfires Southampton Town Supervisor Maria Moore has declared a state of emergency due to fires that started about 1 p.m. along with damage to woodland areas caused by Southern pine beetle infestation is exacerbating the conditions for dangerous wildfires,” she said in a statement “Such conditions threaten and/or imperil the public safety of the citizens of the Town of Southampton due to these active wildfires and the continued elevated threat of extreme wildfire possibility for our area.” Kathy Hochul said the New York National Guard is providing air support via helicopters and is coordinating with local law enforcement I spoke with County Executive Ed Romaine about the brush fire in the Pine Barrens and informed him that the State of New York is here to provide any resources and support he needs,” Hochul said Hochul has also deployed personnel from the offices of Emergency Management and Fire Prevention and Control the Department of Environmental Conservation state parks and state police to assist Suffolk County’s response to the crisis and I’m committed to doing everything possible to keep Long Islanders safe,” she said Police said Sunrise Highway is closed in both directions at the Railroad Avenue overpass in Manorville due to the fires which is partially to blame for Saturday’s wild fires has threatened Long Island’s pine forests and suburban landscapes since it’s arrival in the region in 2014 The beetle burrows into trees and disrupts their ability to transport nutrients Their infestation has weakened thousands of pine trees across Long Island Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico said “Thank you to all of the firefighters and first responders fighting this blaze” in a Facebook post in which he also shared a video of the fires from a helicopter Sunrise Highway east of Exit 62 closed down early on during the fires “Please stay clear of the areas,” Detective Sgt Gina Laferrera said. “Additional road closures may occur due to the ever changing situation.” Helicopters were filling giant buckets of water in nearby lakes Greater Long Island photographer and videographer Andrew Theodorakis captured video footage of the helicopters in action Greater Long Island photographer and videographer Andrew Theodorakis captured a video of helicopter battling the wildfire blazed on Long Island's South Shore on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/Vx09lk65Ll Facebook user Lisa Marie shared this dramatic photo Below is video taken by a motorist in a vehicle headed east on Sunrise Highway The photo below was taken by Bill Faulk from his neighborhood in Manorville Tap here to see what’s happening 2025 at 5:25 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The incident happened at William Floyd Middle School Monday NY — Ten students were transported to area hospitals after eating marijuana gummies at the William Floyd Middle School Monday Suffolk County Police Seventh Precinct officers responded to William Floyd Middle School located at 630 Moriches Middle Island Road in Moriches police said; 10 were transported to local hospitals for evaluation according to Suffolk County Fire Rescue Services No criminal charges have been filed at this time and discipline will be handled at the school level a student at William Floyd Middle School handed out edible THC gummies to students who have since fallen ill," a statement from the William Floyd Union Free School District said "The Suffolk County Police Department and local EMTs responded en masse to provide care and assistance Of the students initially transported to local hospitals for assistance one was released into the custody of a parent "We are grateful to our first responders for their quick response thankful that the students will be treated and hopeful that they will recover quickly," the district said There is no additional information being released on where the gummies came from Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Paul Donahue was known to talk customers out of higher-priced equipment in favor of machinery that better suited their needs A telling moment in his father's life hockey team celebrate their miracle win over the Soviet Union at the 1980 Winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid the TV caught coach Herb Brooks stepping off the bench and walking toward the locker room leaving his players to the festivities and avoiding the limelight "My dad thought that was just right," Bill Donahue he said: 'This is about them,' meaning the players That Paul Donahue never wanted to be the center of attention "He didn't turn many heads when he walked into a room," Bill Donahue said "But by the time he'd left a lot of people said From breaking news to special features and documentaries the NewsdayTV team is covering the issues that matter to you Family patriarch Paul Donahue died Monday at his home in East Moriches six years after suffering a debilitating stroke He leaves a legacy of steadfast friendships — and life lessons — for those who knew him "He was just the real deal," son-in-law Dave Smukler He was just the same guy whether it was with friends or family or in a room full of strangers .. Donahue was a diesel mechanic in the Air Force stationed in Germany in the mid-1950s then embarked on a 56-year career as a mechanic and salesman servicing and selling Caterpillar construction equipment for H.O Donahue wasn't your typical sales rep he was known to talk customers out of higher-priced equipment in favor of machinery that better suited their needs That honesty often forged lifelong relationships with clients "Even after he retired," Bill Donahue said send out Paul.' That's how well he understood people That's how much the relationships meant." Donahue first came to love heavy equipment as a child and Smukler recalled a family story from when his father-in-law was a young boy Donahue read a story about a bulldozer in a farming magazine and wrote to the local dealership to inquire about the big dozer "the dealer thinks he's got this hot prospect and a few days later Paul hears this huge tractor trailer coming down his block — and immediately he knows what's happened He runs across the street to hide in the cemetery who's brought the bulldozer to the house on the back of a truck James and Jenny Donahue told the salesman: "That's not Mr It's our son — and he's just 9." that was how much Paul Donahue loved heavy machinery — so much so his father began pretty much every work morning at a local sandpit or construction site talking shop That steadfast nature was a key to family life for Donahue As Bill Donahue said: "My dad always said if you were talking you weren't listening .. He was the opposite of the selfie generation." In a 60th wedding anniversary story in Newsday in 2017 Barbara Donahue remembered how she'd met her husband at a clam boil in Somerset And her sister Ann was engaged to Paul's brother would see each other at family gatherings — and then with Paul living at his brother's while working summer construction on Long Island They were engaged over dinner at the Milleridge Inn in Jericho in 1956 who was a reservations clerk for Eastern Airlines "Paul and I made the most of our adventure while living in the beautiful countryside of southern Germany," Barbara Donahue recalled in the story attended an Oktoberfest and loved every minute of our time there." the couple lived outside Eglin Air Force Base in Florida following Jim and Ann to Center Moriches before buying a home in East Moriches they hosted disadvantaged children from Northern Ireland and for 30 years the couple also worked together to deliver Meals on Wheels on a local route 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Center Moriches followed by burial at Calverton National Cemetery 2025 at 8:05 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Thomas Valva was just 8 years old (Courtesy Suffolk County DA's Office)The following column is commentary from Patch editor Lisa Finn regarding the Thomas Valva case on its 5-year anniversary editors received a press release at about 9:40 a.m and the words were few: "Suffolk County police homicide squad detectives are investigating the death of a child that occurred in Center Moriches yesterday." The press release continued: "Seventh Precinct police officers responded to a report of an 8-year-old boy who fell in the driveway of a residence The child was transported to Long Island Community Hospital The Suffolk County Medical Examiner is performing an autopsy hurting for his family — reporters have a job to do ex-NYPD Officer Michael Valva and his then-fiance Angela Pollina would be arrested and charged with his death — after Thomas and his brother had spent an icy 19-degree January night in his father's garage sleeping on a frigid cement floor with no blankets or pillows soaked in urine and starving for food and love Valva and Pollina were both ultimately convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years to life testimony revealed the horror-filled lives that Thomas and his brother were forced to endure — sent to school bruised and so hungry that they desperately searched the trash for food so red from the icy nights he'd spent in the garage because school was the one place where he found love and warm jackets In the years since Thomas' death, officials have advocated for reform But those who fought fiercely for him are crying out five years later — pleading for concrete change so that no other child ever dies in a frigid garage despite months of calls to CPS "I can still hear you in my thoughts and see the smile on your face," Renee Emin East Moriches Elementary School psychologist — one of the many teachers and administrators who fought tirelessly for Thomas "You are always on my mind — it’s just a matter of are you towards the front or back of my mind I hope to one day see changes in your name because something positive needs to come out of something so horrible Emin said three bills she has advocated for, to implement concrete change, have been reintroduced, including legislation that would open sealed, unfounded CPS cases with a court order for the purpose of a grand jury investigation or charges To read about those bills, click here. Her overall focus is on the civil trial and deposition She also said that she hopes the bills will pass this year Bows will adorn Thomas' bench by the school Emin said on Facebook that she ties two large blue bows with baby's breath on that bench both on Thomas’s birthday and on the anniversary teachers at the elementary school will be wearing blue in memory of Thomas and the fight against child abuse The tower of the elementary school will be illuminated in blue in his memory his family — including his heartbroken mother who begged on social media for someone anyone to help her boys in the months before Thomas died — friends many in the public who came to love Thomas through his story will remember that Friday marks five years since a tragedy rocked souls forever Five years ago seems just a heartbeat away Entering the Suffolk County Class B boys soccer semifinals on Friday night, Mattituck was convinced it would not duplicate a recent 6-0 loss to archrival Center Moriches could not avoid the same fate on the Red Devils’ artificial turf field Senior forward Joe Hiller scored four goals and set up another to lead the second-seeded Red Devils (14-3) to a 6-0 win 1 Babylon in the final at Diamond in the Pines in Coram on Tuesday Third-seeded Mattituck (9-6-2) felt it could put the Oct. 17 shutout in the rear-view mirror since the squad had posted a 3-2 comeback victory over Center Moriches earlier in the season We were missing guys,” head coach Dan O’Sullivan said of the first 6-0 defeat Everybody’s 0-0 and anything can happen We had a game plan for the most part that we executed it in the first half They’re a talented team over there.”  The Red Devils grabbed a 3-0 halftime advantage and never looked back “The game just really didn’t go the way we planned,” said senior co-captain and defender/midfielder Justin Fox but we made little mistakes here and there returned after missing a few matches due to a school-related suspension “It’s definitely difficult,” he said I thought we had a really good shot of making it It was difficult for the seniors walking off the field after playing their final high school game “You never really know it’s your final game until it actually comes it really hits,” midfielder Peter Ixcotoyac-Krogulec said It’s sad knowing that you’re not going to play with these guys again.” slotting the ball past sophomore goalkeeper Cris Cuellar (7 saves) The Tuckers tried to equalize as keeper Hunter Bernhard snared a Szczotka right-flank shot at 18:36 The hosts pulled away in the final ten minutes of the half Alex Rotunda doubled the lead with a 30-yard blast that ricocheted off the inside of the crossbar before dropping into the net Hiller converted a penalty kick with 61 seconds remaining for a three-goal halftime advantage Center Moriches continued to attack in the second half Guilherme Rodrigues Dos Santos tallied from close range 1:40 into the period Hiller struck from the right side for his hat-trick less than two minutes later before adding a breakaway goal at 45:51 Six Tuckers seniors played their final game including defenders Daniel Gamboa-Boutcher guys that have been doing this for quite a few years with me,” O’Sullivan said Dan and Landon had not touched the field before this year They would be the first ones to say we might not touch the field at all but we’re going work to make everybody else better.” the Tuckers took one final bus trip back to the high school I always make the seniors speak and the underclassmen step up,” O’Sullivan said “I’m going preach the fact that they were able to bridge a group that lost 21 seniors [to graduation] and then having a group this year that was not as big Some of them had not been on a varsity field before Now we have something to look forward to.” Ixcotoyac-Krogulec echoed O’Sullivan’s remarks “The team put their whole heart into this game,” he said the ones that are going to be here for many more years I hope to see them playing here again and making it further.” who has turned around his tennis game with.. Leon Maurice Creighton of Greenport Village died Monday With the birth of river otter pups at the Long Island Aquarium and possible sightings of otters at Marion.. Ronald Masera assumed the Center Moriches district’s top education post in July 2019 Center Moriches schools Superintendent Ronald Masera has abruptly resigned from his post for undisclosed reasons and the district has given him a payout of $282,366 who had assumed the district’s top education post in July 2019 left about a year earlier than his contracted departure date of June 30 according to a board of education agreement with him The 12-page agreement states Masera and the district agreed it is in “their mutual best interests to end their employment relationship.” The agreement does not indicate a reason for his departure Neither Masera nor school board president Lauren Slionski could be reached for comment Education experts say such payouts are not uncommon when a district and top school official decide to part ways Get the latest updates on how education is changing in your district "It does happen," said Michael Koscinski head of the Center Moriches teachers union The Center Moriches school board has appointed Ricardo Soto who was assistant superintendent for student services Soto declined to discuss the reason behind Masera’s departure I cannot provide the reason for his departure,” he said already exercised and now enjoying coffee with nature and NYT puzzles…what to do next?” The separation agreement grants Masera the remaining value of his 2024-25 salary of $227,588 the value of 14 accrued vacation days ($15,685) 10 years' worth of annual life insurance policy premiums ($17,280) and payments related to his health insurance Masera leaves as the district of about 1,500 students prepares for the Sept in a letter to the school community dated Aug “As I step into my new role as your interim superintendent and gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside such a dedicated group of professionals in a committed school community.” Soto included a message for the coming school year we will work towards enhancing student outcomes and addressing the challenges that lie ahead with resilience and creativity,” he said Masera’s five years as superintendent were marked by the COVID-19 pandemic He served as the president of the Suffolk County School Superintendents Association in 2020-21 Center Moriches voters rejected a $13.9 million bond issue intended to replace school boilers repair cracked sidewalks and make other improvements A bigger proposal for $45 million was turned down in October Long Island’s oldest — and arguably best — high school soccer rivalry is back to being a competitive affair the Mattituck and Center Moriches boys’ soccer teams will tussle again for league supremacy and bragging rights in a competition that goes back 88 years the schools were separated by different classifications and leagues based on enrollment Center Moriches moved up to Class A and competed in Suffolk County League VIII Mattituck remained in Class B and in League IX “We knew that this rivalry had to stay together due to Center Moriches history,” Tuckers head coach Dan O’Sullivan said regardless of if we were in the league or not But I’m just super excited that now not only are they back in the league Mike Russo succeeded long-time Center Moriches head coach Chris O’Brien a Southold native who retired after last season and will coach in the rivalry for the first time and then Center Moriches-Mattituck boys’ soccer,” he said Past encounters, many of which were Suffolk County finals, have been intense, physical affairs with both sides attacking at will “It’s just the fact that it’s two very similar hard working-class communities that when they get on the field it’s different than the other sports that I’ve been a part of “It’s a playoff intensity from the warm-ups It’s all systems go from the opening whistle to the end The kids just know that it’s a special rivalry that they have to give it everything they have.” Last year the teams played a non-league match on Aug That game did not count in the league standings The Tuckers (10-4-2), who lost in last year’s Class B county final to Babylon, 2-0, will host the Red Devils (10-6-1) in their Homecoming Game on Friday, Sept. 20 at 5 p.m. and play at Center Moriches in the penultimate game of the regular season on Oct Mattituck prevailed in the county championship game During an incredible 27-year stretch from 1988 to 2014 either Mattituck or Center Moriches claimed the league title in all but two seasons The Tuckers won state championships in 1982 The Red Devils captured the New York crown in 2009 and 2017 The rivalry also has made for some intriguing scenarios Former Mattituck athletic director and head soccer coach Mike Huey was inducted into the Center Moriches Athletics Hall of Fame The Clayton Huey Elementary School in the town is named after his father After directing the Tuckers boys for nine successful years, Joe Vasile-Cozzo ventured west to become the Center Moriches athletic director O’Sullivan has two unique Center Moriches connections O’Sullivan was a student teacher in a fourth-grade special education class while working with Ashley Russo He also did some coaching at the school before getting a full-time job at Mattituck in 2017 they could meet for a third time in the Class B final at Diamond in the Pines in Coram on Nov Center Moriches can move again to Class A if enrollment rises above 412 students again “Last year we were in A and B in some sports,” Russo said I think we’re off by five to 10 students.” which has had dwindling class sizes the past decade could drop to Class C in the near future if enrollment dips below 249 students we’ll just have to enjoy this classic rivalry one year at a time 2025 at 4:26 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Almost 1,500 vape products were seized NY — An employee at an Eastport smoke shop was arrested Tuesday after illegally selling cannabis products was arrested at Sam's Eastport Tobacco Shop Seventh Precinct investigative unit officers along with the New York State Office of Cannabis Management and the Town of Brookhaven and seized more than 1,470 flavored nicotine vape products Uceda was arrested and charged with unlawful sale of cannabis or concentrated cannabis and criminal possession of a controlled substance The business was issued violations from the Office of Cannabis Management and the Town of Uceda was released on a desk appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip on a later date Janet Louise Knight Lemmen died peacefully and comfortably in her sleep on June 3 at home in Hampstead After spending a year enrolled as an English major at Albany State Teachers College she worked at the advertising agency BBD&O in New York City until her marriage in 1954 to Josef Lemmen where she and their 1 year old son joined him for a year at Fort Greely where the couple raised their family of four children — Greg Her family said they would cherish the many thoughts of her for her selfless love of family her service within the Methodist Church leading the United Methodist Women of East Moriches and of Long Island her involvement with several charitable organizations and for her bright spirit and wit as she and her husband cultivated a circle of friends stretching from coast to coast and even to other continents She traveled with her husband to many world-wide locations The couple also enjoyed vacationing during the winter at their Florida Keys vacation home They moved for a time to Fort Myers from the Keys and in 2020 moved to North Carolina to be closer to family She is survived by her husband of 70 years; her four children; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren A memorial service will be held at the East Moriches United Methodist Church at 11 a.m memorial donations may be sent to the East Moriches Methodist Church Memorial Fund the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) or a local hospice organization You've read 4 of your 7 free articles this month Please log in or create an account to continue reading An investigation by major case unit detectives determined John Ballard of Mastic was operating an electric skateboard when he fell Suffolk County police said Ballard was found about 4:30 a.m after a 911 caller reported that he was unconscious in the roadway Ballard was transported to Long Island Community Hospital in Patchogue for treatment of serious injuries; he later died 2024 at 3:59 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Both Michael Valva and his ex-fiance Angela Pollina were sentenced to 25 years to life after Thomas Valva froze to death in his father's garage following years of abuse in the Center Moriches home (Michael Valva photo courtesy Suffolk County District Attorney's Office Angela Pollina photo courtesy Newsday pool James Carbone.)CENTER MORICHES – "It's finally over." So said the biological father of Angela Pollina's youngest daughter on Tuesday as Both Pollina and ex-NYPD Officer Michael Valva were sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty of second-degree murder and four counts of endangering the welfare of a child in the death of 8-year-old son Thomas, who froze to death in his father's Center Moriches garage in 2020 Valva was convicted in November, 2022 and Pollina, in March of 2023 During the legal proceedings, Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney Kerriann Kelly described the Center Moriches house as the "house of horrors," where Thomas, died of hypothermia after being forced to spend the frigid 19-degree January night with his brother in his father's unheated garage on a cold cement floor with no blankets or pillows Also living in that house at the time of Thomas' death were Pollina's three daughters and Valva's remaining two sons both the biological fathers of Pollina's girls and Justyna Zubko-Valva Thomas' mother and the mother to two other sons have fought tirelessly to receive full custody of their children with Judge Frank Tantone terminating Pollina's custody rights and affording those rights to both Gino Cali A decision dated August 15 said that Pollina committed acts "constituting severe child abuse," and that her three daughters were "derivatively severely abused and derivatively neglected by Angela Pollina." Custody was officially granted to Cali and Ichkhan on Tuesday Cali said he has been fighting for more than a decade for custody of his daughter "This 13-year horror show is finally over," he said "We're happy it's over now," Ichkhan told Patch confirmed with Patch that all Valva's custody rights and visitation rights were terminated in late October In a case where custody rights are terminated there can be no communication or visitation with the children and orders of protection are put in place "It's the verdict I wanted — but it doesn't bring Tommy back," he said Ichkhan, father of Pollina's twin girls, shared a statement with Patch after Pollina's sentencing: "Angela today is the moment I’ve been waiting for the last three years because in my mind I knew it was coming I’ve been struggling with it — not just for me but for my daughters Today you finally answer for your heinous acts from the past 14 years mental and emotional abuse and the disgusting and deliberate act of murder You always thought no one can touch you – well He added: “Thomas is the reason I have my daughters back as well as Cali and his partner Geri Antonacci attended the sentencing sitting together in solidarity and vowing to protect the girls forever Ichkhan said his and Cali's focus is on the girls but what happened will be with them forever Cali also spoke with Patch after the sentencing: "I want to celebrate that I have my daughter but for Thomas to have died to make it happen is just insane," Cali said Cali said: "It still won't bring Thomas back Cali and Ichkhan both vowed Pollina will never see her girls again Teachers and the principal from East Moriches Elementary School offered emotional testimony in both Pollina's and Valva's trials Detectives and others who responded to the home also testified said he saw Pollina throw a child down the stairs There was also evidence shown of texts reflecting Pollina's frustration with the incontinence of Thomas and his older brother and her stating that she did not want them in the house Valva's defense team painted an image of Valva as a man stressed over finances who had nowhere to go with his boys if he had to leave the home he shared with Pollina ADA Kelly spoke of Thomas: Describing a photo she'd shown during the trial of Thomas at school the day before he died "He thought goodness and love could return to his life But what we know from the evidence was that Thomas wasn't surrounded by love — he was surrounded by nothing other than pure evil," Kelly said "The redness of his hands and cheeks was evidence of that evil." exiled to sleeping on the cement floor of a freezing cold garage was forced to use pullups and wash in the backyard; on the morning Thomas died it was 19 degrees yet his father forced him outside naked to wash him with water from an icy spigot "Thomas was a profile in courage," Kelly said "He stared down the faces of evil he endured each day in the faces of his father and this defendant He battled and fought but ultimately lost the war." Kelly asked the judge to remember how Thomas spent the last special days of his life he was chastised because the teacher brought in sweets he was in the garage with Anthony wondering what Black Friday was she said — he never went to junior high school never had a first date or bought his first home or had children he should have looked forward to playing with his dog he was trying to figure out how to stay warm," she said screaming at him for an accident in the night She said Pollina knew Thomas was hypothermic when he kept falling but did nothing One text revealed Pollina telling Valva that she wanted all books "There should not be one thing that belongs in a bedroom in there," she wrote Pollina and Valva will have warm beds with blankets the things that were denied the boys for years In recent weeks, officials unveiled "comprehensive" changes to Suffolk County's Department of Child Protective Services what happened to Thomas Valva can never happen again Thomas' mother Justyna Zubko-Valva pleaded for help on her Twitter page before her son died. In 2020, Zubko-Valva filed a $200 million wrongful death suit Zubko-Valva has not responded to requests for comment 2024 at 11:32 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Spiro Laopodis died on Sunday NY — Hearts are heavy at the Greek Bites Grill & Cafe in Moriches: Friends and staff as close as family were left reeling by the news that owner Spiro Laopodis died on Sunday and his children Marianna and George are a family well-known and loved in the community — with scores of friends coming forward on social media to share their sorrow at the profound loss The Laopodis family wrote a message to Greek Bites' customers: "We regret to inform you that Greek Bites Grill & Cafe will be closed on Saturday We apologize and appreciate your understanding during this difficult time." Marianna Laopodis wrote a heartfelt note to her father on social media: "I’m sorry we have to close Our Greek Bites family is standing incredibly tall and strong They are rallying behind our family and ready You always had some sort of way of finding great people to bring into our door Anyone who currently works or has worked for you refers to you as the greatest boss they ever had — and a father figure." She added: "I promise to you and to my brother and to my mother and to our incredible customers that keep a roof over our heads that it will be business as usual — with the exception of some tears while I’m taking orders — in the future at any time.' We will not be okay — but we will make you proud." A viewing will be held at the Robertaccio Funeral Home located at 495 Main Street in Center Moriches Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m located at 77 Montauk Highway in Blue Point you are welcome with open arms to come and pay your respects," Marianna said The Laopodis family is well-loved in the Mastic and Moriches communities, as well as on the North Fork and in Southampton, where they also once had restaurant locations Spiro was known for his warm smile and the air of hospitality with which he welcomed guests to Greek Bites — the entire family is known for nourishing not just with homemade food but with bestowing a sense of belonging on all those who come in search of the perfect gyro or slice of mouthwatering pastitsio they will carry their husband and father's dream of a new larger Greek Bites forward into the future — shepherding his legacy and vision into reality with love making sure we are safe and strong," his wife Dimitra said Gary Barney of the New York Army National Guard presents a medal awarded posthumously to the parents of John "Jack" Dyer Jr. an Army veteran killed in a December motorcycle crash the New York National Guard paid a special visit to the Dyer family’s East Moriches home on behalf of their late son decorated Army paratrooper John “Jack” Dyer Jr. who died in a motorcycle crash on his 26th birthday last December state casualty affair officer for the New York Army National Guard honored Dyer posthumously with two medals he had earned in the Army began with a rendition of “God Bless America,” followed by the medal presentations and remarks by Hammond and Barney who served in Afghanistan and Germany during his four years in the Army was posthumously awarded a federal Army Commendation Medal and a state Meritorious Service Medal “His record was impeccable and if you just looked at his resume,” Hammond said “you could tell that this soldier was one of a kind.” Added Barney: “It takes a special person to go out there and put themselves in a high-risk situation like that and commit to it and I think that the help and aid that he gave for his efforts in Germany and Afghanistan really speaks to his character.” As the two officers presented the medals to the late veteran's parents the couple shed tears and spoke of their pride at his accomplishments despite the pain of his loss last December “He was special,” John Dyer said of his son “He was inquisitive and very polite growing up He just wanted to do everything and anything.” exhibited a strong sense of independence and curiosity noting that he gave them an opportunity to “see life through his eyes.” They also shared that their son became inspired to join the Army because of his grandfather on his mother's side Just before 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 17, 2023, Dyer lost control of his Kawasaki motorcycle on a dark stretch of U.S Eight motorists behind Dyer struck him as he lay in the southbound lane according to a Florida Highway Patrol crash report He had served in the United States Army as a paratrooper with the legendary 82nd Airborne Division Dyer moved to Florida and was working for a private security company at the time of his death he exhibited a strong sense of independence and curiosity “I think Jack had a special place in his heart for people who didn’t have a lot because he truly believed that it could be him,” Elizabeth Dyer said high school sports and more Suffolk County news The Jazz Loft Jazz Orchestra will perform a concert celebrating the vibrant East End artistic scene heritage LI is enjoying an influx of regional gourmet spots taking Mexican food to spendy new heights 2024 at 11:25 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}He careened into a heavily wooded area NY — A Westbury man killed in an Eastport motorcycle crash early Monday was an off-duty police officer a member of the Rockville Centre Police Department the Village of Rockville Centre said in a Facebook post was driving a 2022 Harley Davidson motorcycle and traveling west on Old Country Road Criminality is not suspected; the motorcycle was impounded for a safety check police said.Detectives are asking anyone with information on the crash to call Southampton Town Police detectives at 631-702-2230 Lerner served two combat tours in Iraq for the U.S His first stint in law enforcement came in the NYPD where Lerner was a police officer followed by a sergeant Officer Lerner made a tremendous impact on both the RVCPD and the Rockville Centre community," the village said "His commitment and passion were evident in everything he did leaving an everlasting mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him." Flags in the Village of Rockville Centre will be flown at half-staff in his honor ITA Kitchen is cooking up a new location on Long Island the husband-and-wife ownership team behind the Italian restaurant announced they are opening an ITA Kitchen in East Moriches They confirmed to greaterlongisland.com that ITA Kitchen has taken over the former Coral Tapas & Wine Bar spot on Atlantic Ave The Sorrentinos said the goal is to open later this year will boast 360-degree views of the water (just look at the rendering above) This will be the third ITA Kitchen on the island The first one opened in Bay Shore back in 2019. The other one recently launched in Garden City South last year Using his over 20 years of experience in the restaurant game Sal’s eclectic menu is made up of a number of creative dishes such as pesto risotto balls; chicken burrata Caprese; four-cheese mac and cheese; meatballs the “size of softballs” filled with veal; and homemade ricotta gnocchi The Huntington couple will be using the new East Moriches location to serve “modern Italian fare while focusing on contemporary hospitality,” they said “This space will be an experience like no other on the east end,” reads an announcement on Facebook Top: Rendering of the new ITA Kitchen location coming soon to East Moriches. (Credit: Facebook) The décor in both Bay Shore and Garden City relies on a profusion of floral (albeit artificial) garlands and the transparent igloos in Bay Shore were some of the showiest pandemic dining spaces the conception of many dishes throws restraint to the wind — this is a place where chicken Francese is topped with mozzarella and a cherry-pepper sauce and served on spinach where a veal chop is smothered with prosciutto mozzarella and truffle-mushroom Marsala sauce in the East Moriches location that opened over Memorial Day weekend the surroundings threaten to outshine both the décor and the platings that was last occupied by Coral Tapas but has been vacant since 2020 Christina Sorrentino, who opened the Bay Shore restaurant in 2020 with her husband said that the location belongs to one of their partners at Garden City (which opened last year) From the parking lot you pass through a wildly garlanded archway To your left is the low-slung building whose dining room offers views on three sides the barrier island that extends from Cupsogue Beach County Park in the west to the storied West Hampton Dunes The restaurant makes the most of its location with umbrella-ed tables planted in the wide gravel lawn that extends to the water and a lounge area where people can await takeout orders or enjoy a drink — or both Among the dishes that executive chef Matthew Sorrentino (Salvatore's brother) added to the lineup are Blue Point oysters on the half shell sesame-encrusted tuna and a cold lobster roll More ITA-ish are the tower of shrimp and colossal crabmeat with smashed avocado and cherry-pepper aioli and the pan-seared scallops with capers onion Some non-seafood dishes are also unique to East Moriches such as the ITA smashburger with two smashed patties topped with mozzarella arugula and cherry-pepper aioli on a brioche bun There’s also a puzzler called Okinawa ravioli whose pasta is stuffed with purple sweet potato and tossed with corn Most of ITA Kitchen’s greatest hits are here too which is made right in front of you and then plated with prosciutto The wine list here is brief but the signature cocktails include a Rainbow Cookie Martini (whipped cream vodka raspberry puree and chocolate syrup) and the 128-ounce Notorious Rosé All Day Punch (Notorious pink rosé ITA Kitchen, 215 Atlantic Ave., East Moriches; open Monday to Thursday from 4 to 10 p.m., Friday from 4 to 11 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.;  631-973-4548, itakitchen.com Barbara Irene Tanoff of East Moriches died on November 30 at her East Moriches home was born during a hurricane on November 25 1950 at Southampton Hospital to James and Ruth Gilmartin Lynch Her family owned and operated Lynch’s Garden Center a business fixture for 80 years in her hometown She attended Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary School in Southampton and was a 1967 graduate of Mercy High School in Riverhead she went to the beach in Wading River with a friend and spotted a handsome lifeguard who would later become her husband The Tanoff family had a summer home in Wading River noting that it was love at first sight for the couple she headed off to Sacred Hearts College in Belmont and confided to her freshman roommate that she had met the man she was going to marry she transferred to Molloy College in Rockville Centre and they married in 1969 Tanoff earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from St Joseph’s college as well as a Master of Arts degree in Education Tanoff was an honored and loved teacher of first second and third grades at Center Moriches Elementary School Motherhood was a natural fit — she was considered a “baby whisperer” among her family She delighted in her own children as well as her many nieces and nephews She relished every aspect of motherhood and was devoted to her children noting that she walked with them every step of the way actively supporting and encouraging them as advocate She was considered a trusted advisor to her children while never giving advice and grandchildren loved to spend time with her Tanoff had an abiding love of celebrations: births noting that she often planned and organized family parties as she was most happy having fun and giving joy to others Her family could count on her to be there for them Tanoff and her husband traveled to Virginia Military Institute “Every day is a gift” was a phrase she used often noting that she was a gift and will be missed by all those who knew and loved her and Christopher and Felicia Tanoff of New York City Olivia and Ryan Jayne and Christopher and Jake Tanoff; six siblings Jeanne and Jay Diesing; her sister-in-law Sally Nolan and her husband Terry; as well as many nieces and nephews Ruth and James Lynch; and her in-laws Christopher and Lila Tanoff; her sister Kathleen Lynch; sister-in-law Patricia Lynch; and brother Tim Lynch where she had been a parishioner and volunteer for 42 years the family requests that memorials be given to East End Hospice (eeh.org/donate) in her name 2023 at 8:52 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Mason Hammil was just five years old when he drowned this week (Courtesy Wendy Hammil)EAST MORICHES sunburst of a little boy who loved the water and hot sauce on everything — even his pancakes Mason died this week after being found unresponsive in his family's pool at their home on Woodcrest Drive in East Moriches CPR was performed on Mason until first responders arrived He was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead before being transported to Stony Brook University Hospital in critical condition His death is a heartbreak almost too unthinkable to grasp especially because his very survival was a miracle: Born a twin preemie six years ago this October Mason and his sister Olivia entered the world at 24 weeks "With only a 10 percent chance of even surviving Hammil wrote on Facebook: "You have brought so much love to this world and you never give up on anything You always know how to make your mama smile and the love you have for me is unconditional You have the biggest heart and your beautiful sister Olivia Faith is always watching down on you." A GoFundMe, "Mighty Mason," was set up on Wednesday by Hailey "Any small donation made would be amazing to help my family with anything my family will need to get us through this rough time Mason is the sweetest little boy and an even bigger lover boy who will give you the best snuggles you have ever had he will always find a way to make you laugh and smile." His contagious smile and giggle the lit the room up when anyone walked in." a student at Westhampton Beach High School "This is just absolutely devastating — a mother’s nightmare," Hammil said only to have to lose Mason at just five years old She and her husband let their youngest boy who keeps asking for Mason and wanting to call him "He asked to call Mason so we put the phone up to his ear and couldn't wait to start school and ride on the bus with him.'" Her voice filled with tears Hammil said he was a little boy who stole the hearts of all who knew him "His smile and his giggle were just contagious — he just lit up the room," she said especially the songs "Beautiful Crazy" and "Fast Car." I put him in my arms and sang 'Beautiful Crazy' to him," she said Music was a hallmark of their time together can you sing to me?' I loved the way he danced always had hugs and kisses for the people in his world but was small for his age and received services at his school to help him learn; Hammil credited the staff at East Moriches Elementary School for incredible changes and strides "He never felt different from any other kid," she said Mason tackled with steadfast determination Mason would figure out how to do it on his own joined by a bond forged during his earliest "I couldn't walk out the door without him saying also delighted his family with the hysterical things he'd say 'Holy mock-a-mole,' because he couldn't say guacamole," she said his face covered joyfully with the food he savored He also loved to say "ice cold lemonade," Hammill said will hold a "Mighty Mason Ice Cold Lemonade" stand at 17 Woodcrest Drive on Sunday from 1 p.m Mighty Mason became his nickname when he was in the neonatal intensive care unit "If he had a simple meltdown because he didn't get something he wanted I think he was a child who was just so appreciative to be here Looking back on the dark day that she lost her son Hammil said they were both outside their East Moriches home "I was power washing a rug outdoors and he was there And then came the moment that changed their lives forever "I turned for two seconds to spray dirt off the deck Mason managed to get inside; she believes Mason 'He's at the bottom of the pool!'" she said "I jumped in and grabbed him and Alyssa started CPR." They immediately called 911 and Hammil also ran to get her neighbor The ambulance arrived and EMTs worked tirelessly to save her boy But the odds were too steep: Mason was on a ventilator at 100 percent When staffers at the hospital prepared him for a chest X ray And although they hadn't left his bedside once Faith is helping her during the darkest of days helping her to go on even though the pain is immeasurable "We tell Jaden that Mason's twin Olivia needed him His grandparents are there — Papa finally got to meet Mason for the first time and my mom got to be reunited with Mason we talked about it: God has a plan for you Hammill said she's felt signs that her boy was with her: An iPad that went on unexpectedly "He was my child that made me learn so much more about being a mom," she said Hammil said she's blessed by all of her children likely because of his prematurity and those early days Just the fact that I bonded with him in the hospital was close to his father; he entered the world with their loving voices guiding him forward He gave his family their greatest gift "by surviving," when he was born," Hammil said "He was a little boy that needed a little more attention who just had a special place in everyone's heart." also expressed his love for his son: "If I could I'd tell him I'm very proud of him," he said "I'm proud of the man that he became in five years." While funeral services are not yet finalized there will be a gathering at Newport Beach in East Moriches And there will be lanterns illuminated in the sky for her smiling If she could speak to her little boy just one more time Hammil tearfully shared words that are filling her heart: "I'd tell him 'I want to hold you forever in my arms and never let go.'" To donate to Mason's GoFundMe, click here