Location Change For Wells Memorial; Zeldin Pays Tribute

NORTH FORK, NY — There has been a location change for a memorial service for beloved farmer Lyle Wells: The service will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at Martha Clara Vineyards, located at 6025 Sound Ave. in Riverhead.

Beloved North Fork farmer Lyle Wells was honored in an emotional tribute by Rep. Lee Zeldin this week.

Congressman Zeldin spoke about Wells, who was killed in a tragic farm equipment accident last week, on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday.

"I rise to pay tribute to Lyle Wells, whose family farm is over 350 years old," Zeldin said. "Lyle was taken from our community too soon."

Describing Wells as a leader, Zeldin said the longtime farmer was the former president of the Long Island Farm Bureau and a former member of the Riverhead Town planning board.

"He positively led and left a great impact and legacy on the next generation of farmers who really do need to be better cultivated and given that opportunity to be able to thrive," Zeldin said.

Zeldin noted that Long Island Farm Bureau Administrative Director Rob Carpenter had spoken about Wells, saying he'd take the time to explain programs and information to anyone who wanted to learn about farming, including elected officials, residents, or other farmers.

"It’s a big loss. You just can’t replace a Lyle," he said.

Zeldin said it's also been observed that Wells' laughter was infectious, and that it was an honor to have had him grace the North Fork community. Wells, he said, having lived and dedicated his life to the local community, made the "rest of us better. That was the positive impact of Lyle Wells. We will pray for Lyle’s family. We are thinking about Lyle, and he will certainly be looking over what hopefully will be 350 more years of great farming on that family farm.”

In lieu of flowers, his family has asked that donations be given in his memory to a fund they have created to support aspiring farmers.

The "Lyle C. Wells Passion for Agriculture Fund" is a YouCaring page created by his children.

"Our dad, Lyle Wells died on January 25, 2018," the page reads. "In memory of him we are starting the Lyle C. Wells: Passion for Agriculture Fund, which will support aspiring farmers who are studying or beginning their careers in local agriculture.

"Our dad, Lyle Wells died on January 25, 2018," the page reads. "In memory of him we are starting the Lyle C. Wells: Passion for Agriculture Fund", which will support aspiring farmers who are studying or beginning their careers in local agriculture.

"Dad's passion and love of farming spanned his whole life. He was recognized as a true leader in the Long Island Farming community with an outspoken voice and a gift for growing produce. He established a reputation for growing some of the finest asparagus in the region. . .

"We loved our dad, he taught us to have passion for what we loved, he supported us and was an amazing person. . . Thank you for helping us keep his memory alive. 'Positive is how I live" Lyle Wells.'"

To donate, click here.

Patch photo courtesy Long Island Farm Bureau.