Funeral Services Announced for Helen and Isidore Adelson, Who Died After Tragic LIE Crash

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — Funeral services have been announced for Helen and Isidore "Itchy" Adelson, a couple who died after Sunday's horrific accident on the Long Island Expressway.

"With profound sadness and overwhelming grief, our Congregational Family mourns the tragic passing of
Helen and Itchy Adelson," an announcement from the Hampton Synagogue said Monday.

Itchy Adelson was the fifth person to die after the crash; his wife Helen died on Monday.

The funeral will take place Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at The Hampton Synagogue, located at 154 Sunset Avenue in Westhampton Beach. Interment will follow at New Montefiore Cemetery, 1180 Wellwood Avenue, West Babylon.

Shiva information to follow

"May Helen and Itchy's memory be a source of blessing and inspiration," the email read

To dedicate a Bible or a Prayer Book to The Hampton Synagogue in memory of Helen and Itchy Adelson, please click here. The family will be notified of donations.

Hearts were broken in Westhampton Beach as the sad news spreads that Adelson, 81, was the fifth person to die after Sunday's horrific crash on the Long Island Expressway.

Adelson and his beloved wife Helen, along with friends Marvin Tenzer, 73, and Sandra Tenzer, 69, were headed to a wedding in New Jersey when tragedy struck.

Helen Adelson had been transported from Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore, where she was in critical condition before passing away Monday.

The Tenzers' injuries are believed to be non-life threatening, police said.

On Monday, friends in the tightly knit Westhampton Beach community remembered the Adelsons, who were well-loved in the synagogue.

"It's very, very sad," said Elisa Greenbaum, who, along with her husband Clint, are members of The Hampton Synagogue with the Adelsons. "They're a wonderful couple."

Clint Greenbaum said Itchy Adelson was known for his signature ponytail. "He was not a hippie, but he had a ponytail," he said.

"When they moved into the community, it was a tremendous gain for the year-round, and especially the synagogue, community," Elisa said. "They are both doers. They're always the ones volunteering. Itchy loved, loved, loved planning Sabbath dinners and barbecues. He'd drive to Queens to get kosher meat and he and all the men would go together to Restaurant Depot."

Adelson, she said, would hunt for strawberries. "He could put together an amazing meal and he loved organizing those kinds of events for the synagogue year-round."

Adelson's wife Helen, Elisa said, was also adept at creating "beautiful centerpieces — she was an artist and a wonderful friend to all."

Elisa saw Helen as recently as last week, at the Hadassah Annual Luncheon at Westhampton's The Ocean Resort at Bath & Tennis.

"We are so sad. Everyone is just grieving today," Elisa said.

Clint Greenbaum said there is one word that describes the Adelsons: "Haimish," the Yiddish word for "warm" and "friendly."

"They were always planning things and organizing things at their house and synagogue," Elisa said.

'They're wonderful people," Clint Greenbaum said.

Steve Rosmarin, another friend from Westhampton Beach, said he was still in shock over the unspeakable loss Monday. "He was a beloved member of the community. He was very active in the development and sustenance of the synagogue. He was just known and loved by all — a real loss. He was a generous man and passionate man in every way." Rosmarin added.

"May their souls be bound up in the bond of life," the email from the Hampton Synagogue said.

Marvin Tenzer is well known in the Westhampton community for his work as president of the East End Eruv Association.

According to police, 26-year-old Carmelo Pinales, of Hicksville, was driving a gray Subaru Outback east on the LIE when he apparently lost control of the vehicle, which then crossed over the grassy median, went airborne and struck two vehicles, a BMW and a Honda, that were traveling west near Exit 68 in Manorville at about 9:35 a.m.

Pinales and his sister, Patricia Pinales, 27, of Westbury, were pronounced dead at the scene. Carmelo Pinales' 10-year-old son, Christopher Pinales, later died from his injuries.

The driver of the 2014 Honda, Scott Martella, 29, of Northport, was pronounced dead at the scene. His fiancée, Shelbi Thurau, 29, of Northport, was transported to a local hospital where she was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Martella was a communications director for Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and former aide to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

The other two people in the Suburu — Winnifer Garcia, 21, of Hempstead, and Patricia Pinales' 3-year-old daughter, also of Westbury — were transported to local hospitals, where they were treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Photos courtesy of Clint and Elisa Greenbaum