9/11 memorial service for Thomas Kelly draws 100 in Riverhead

BARBARAELLEN KOCH PHOTO
The Kelly family at a memorial service Saturday for Lt. Thomas Kelly, a New York City
firefighter from Reeves Park in Riverhead, who was killed in the World
Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

About 100 people turned out for a memorial service Saturday for Lt. Thomas Kelly, a New York City firefighter from Reeves Park in Riverhead, who was killed in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.
Lt. Kelly worked for a fire company in Brooklyn that lost its entire company that day. A memorial in his honor was built at the corner of Park Road and Sound Avenue, and Saturday’s service was held at that corner, as relatives, friends and neighbors walked down Park Road carrying candles.
Park Road also was renamed Thomas Kelly Memorial Drive several years ago.
Bob Kelly, his brother, who also is an FDNY member as well as a Reeves Park resident, recently asked the Riverhead Town Board to purchase the 4.1 acres adjacent to the memorial as a 9-11 Memorial. The land is slated for development of a 28,000 square foot shopping center.
County Legislator Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) said he plans to submit a plan calling for acquisition of the 4.1 acres.
The family of another FDNY member killed on Sept 11, Jonathan Ielpi of Great Neck, also owns property on Park Road, Bob Kelly said.
Another Riverhead resident killed in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001 was Derrick Washington, a Verizon employee who worked on the top floor of the south tower.
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