Founder Of Sandy Volunteer Aid Group Bucket Brigade Dies

Cassandra Vitale, who moved back to New Jersey after Superstorm Sandy ravaged Ocean County and started a volunteer group that assisted residents with the hands-on cleanup work of their homes, has died in Florida. She was 29.

The cause of her death was not immediately known.

Vitale’s death was announced by her close friend, Erin Wolleon, who worked closely with Vitale on the group Bucket Brigade NJ, which Vitale founded.

A post on the Bucket Brigade’s Facebook page read:

It is with the deepest sadness and regret that i post this: Bucket Brigade founder, its heart and soul, Cassandra Vitale, passed away 7/31/15. I can not begin to express my personal devastation, or the grief we all must feel, over a loss so overwhelming. I’m sure there are many of you who wish to share your thanks, memories, and condolences. I ask only that you do so with the utmost respect, sensitivity, and dignity deserved by this incredible woman and her family. -Erin

On Vitale’s personal Facebook page, tribute after tribute honors a woman who clearly touched a multitude of lives, with an infectious smile and a sense of humor that shines through her photos and and her Facebook posts.

Vitale, who grew up in Beachwood and graduated from Toms River South, was living in Florida when Sandy smashed ashore Oct. 29, 2012. By all accounts, and without a second thought, Vitale headed back to the Jersey Shore to help in whatever way she could. She stayed until last August, when she returned to Florida, according to a Facebook post she wrote.

The Bucket Brigade, which first started by distributing cleaning supplies to residents who were trying to clean up the mess, expanded into lending helping hands and physical labor to assist residents.

In a November 2012 article in the Asbury Park Press, Vitale, whose project was in its infancy then, was doing the work by herself, using her father’s work van to distribute supplies and even sandwiches.

“I can’t give someone a house, but if I can get them paper towels I’ll do that,” said Vitale. “I see a lot of future in our ongoing efforts. It’s been really great to see people helping people.”

Sunday, on the Bucket Brigade Facebook page and Vitale’s personal page, people recounted story after story of ways Vitale had touched their lives.

“She was a light for all of us after the storm,” wrote Denise Gavala. “So kind and giving to everyone. She had the biggest heart I have ever seen in anyone. And a smile was always with it. Rest in peace angel, Ortley thanks you.”

“We met Cassandra at St Pauls in Bay Head only days after the storm,” Karen Bostwick wrote. “She was able to be the eyes and ears of the folks south of Bay Head and we worked together to make sure they had the supplies they needed. My heart hurts. I can’t even express my sadness. She was the hope that so many looked for and needed. Much love and prayers to her friends and family left behind...”

”Condolences to all who knew and worked along the side of this community treasure,” wrote Marion Warr. “By the comments here Cassandra sounds like she was a force of nature in one single person. The whole process of coming back from Sandy continues to seem insurmountable but I’m sure she would tell you it isn’t and keep fighting the good fight to reach the final goal of restoration even though her voice is now silent. Her spirit is still with you and is the glue that holds you together as an awesome group of survivors that you are. Do it in memory of Cassandra and do it for yourselves, the people and the town she obviously loved. I’m sincerely sorry for your loss.”

Phyllis Nagy of Toms River wrote a note to Vitale’s family on Vitale’s wall:

“Your angel will always be remembered for her love, her strengths and her gentle heart . When others were in need, it was SHE whose voice was heard to get them help. May your hearts find comfort knowing that she was loved by so many, strangers whose lives will forever be changed because of her. She was a beautiful soul. Her infectious smile could change a frown to a snicker, to a half cracked lip, to a full fledged smile.”

“I will forever hold her dear in my heart and the first memory of her coming thru the door at St. Paul’s Church Bay Head with Tom Petruzziello. 2 firecrackers who said where do we start,” Nagy wrote. “That was just the beginning .... My many thanks to Cassandra and company for showing me how to be a better person.”

(Photo credit: Bucket Brigade Facebook page)