Scholarship Fund Started In Honor Of Smithtown Native Scott Martella

The family of Smithtown native Scott Martella, who was among six people killed in a Long Island Expressway crash last year, announced on Monday that they will be launching a scholarship fund in his name.

The Scott Martella Memorial Scholarship fund, which was created by the Martella family and United Way of Long Island, will provide scholarships to low-income students who will be attending college whose studies may include international relations or public relations.

"Scott was a dear friend and supporter of the United Way of Long Island," Theresa Regnante, president and CEO of United Way of Long Island said. "We are honored to host this scholarship fund to ensure Scott's passion for public service and desire to make college education more affordable for all be passed on to future generations."

In addition, a yearly community service project will be held along with the scholarship fund at the Smithtown Central School District.

The school district will create a series of service learning projects for students that will run from October 2017 to May 2018. The project will partner with United Veterans Beacon House, a nonprofit partner agency of United Way, to work together on a host of activities such as painting, planting a garden, landscaping, and more.

Related:

• Remembering Scott Martella
• Obituary: Scott Martella, 29, of Northport, Aide to Steve Bellone
  

Previously in October a fellowship was created to honor the memory of 29-year-old Northport resident.

"Scott believed in the awesome power of public service," his parents Stacy and Steve Martella said. "We hope to keep his legacy alive by giving future leaders the same chance Scott had in pursuing a college education."

Before his death, Martella was the youngest member in the history of the Smithtown School District Board, Governor Andrew Cuomo's Suffolk County representative, and most recently communication director under Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone.

A life-long resident of Smithtown, he graduated from Boston University in 2008, earning a bachelor's degree in international business and economics before earning a master's degree at Columbia University, graduating in 2014 with a degree in politics and education.

"Scott was known across Long Island as a leader and a great man, and we feel his loss every day," Bellone said. "The hundreds of people Scott worked with over the years and the thousands of people whose lives he has positively impacted would describe him as nothing short of an amazing person."

According to Bellone, Martella's nameplate still hangs outside of his office in the H. Lee Dennison Building as "an enduring symbol of his commitment to making Suffolk County a better place."

Charitable contributions to The Scott Martella Memorial Scholarship Fund can be made online here.

All donations made by check should be written to include The Scott Martella Memorial Scholarship Fund on the envelope as well as the memo section. Checks should be made payable to:

United Way of Long Island
819 Grand Blvd.
Deer Park, NY 11729

Patch file photo