New Foundation Honors Memory Of Greenport Man, Loved By Many

GREENPORT, NY — Tears flowed in the flickering candlelight at a vigil held in August to mourn unspeakable loss: A deadly batch of fentanyl-laced cocaine led to a rash of eight overdoses and six deaths on the North Fork and Shelter Island over eight days.

In Greenport, those who worked with Seth Tramontana — one of those who died — were heartbroken. And now, a new group, the Gold Boots Foundation, has been created to honor his life and celebrate his legacy by funding scholarships in the arts.

Emily Kessler, who sits on the board of directors, said the 1st Annual Gold Boots Foundation Scholarship Fundraiser is slated to be held Friday, March 25, at Lin Beach House, located at 455 New York State Route 25 in Greenport, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

"We’re raising money for scholarships for Greenport High School seniors pursuing an education in the arts," Kessler said.

Lin Beach House has donated the space; cocktails have been donated by Matchbook Distilling Co., Kessler said. Lucharitos will be setting up a food station, as will Fortino's Tavern and a few other restaurants, she said.

"The foundation is in honor of Seth Tramontana, who passed away last summer," she said.

The event will feature a live auction with prizes including a sunset sail from Layla Sailing and a dinner for six with a bottle of Prosecco at Noah’s.

Tickets are sold out but donations can still be made here.

Joan Olszewski, Seth's grandmother stood at the vigil with his brokenhearted brother, whose face was streaked with tears as friends came to wrap their arms around him.

Her grandson Seth, Olszewski said, lived with her; he was just 27 years old. He, along with others who died, was a member of the Greenport's hospitality community canvas, working at Fortino's Tavern and at Green Hill Kitchen in past years.

Everyone loved him, she said. "He was like the mayor of Greenport," she said softly. "He was the life of the party. He didn't have a bad bone in his body. He had a beautiful spirit."

Seth, she said, marched to his own beat, but cared about others with an open heart. "He'd give you the shirt off his back," she said.

Olszewski, born in the village like her mother before her, taught in Greenport for more than 30 years — and in the dark days following his death, residents and lifetime friends came out in force to support her, she said. Restaurant owners, trying to find a way to deal with the sorrow in a knit community, brought food for days.

Reflecting on his short life, Olszewski said her grandson gave her 27 years of beautiful memories, of joy. "He's going to live on," she said. "His spirit is already living on, in all of these people."