Westhampton Community Mourns Isidore 'Itchy' Adelson, Killed in Horrific Long Island Expressway Crash Sunday

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — Hearts are broken in Westhampton Beach as the sad news spreads that Isidore 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 has been transported from Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore, where she is in critical condition.

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

On Monday, friends in the tightly knit Westhampton Beach community remembered Adelson, a kind man of great faith that everyone knew as "Itchy."

"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 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, is also adept at creating "beautiful centerpieces — she's 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 for Itchy, and praying for Helen's recovery," she said.

Clint Greenbaum said there is one word that describes Adelson: "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, "Pray for Helen."

Services for Isidore Adelson have not yet been announced.

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