Honor Lyle Wells’ Legacy

Senate Resolution No. 3736 BY: Senator LAVALLE MOURNING the death of Lyle Wells, legendary North Fork farmer, family man, and devoted member of his community WHEREAS, The agricultural industry is part of the foundation upon which our distinct American heritage is built; and WHEREAS, New York State and the entire United States is dependent on our agricultural industry for a variety of food products; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the efforts of our farmers as they continue their hard work of cultivating the land, facing the many challenges of nature such as flood, drought and heat, in order to grow our food; and WHEREAS, It is with great sorrow and deep regret that this Legislative Body records the passing of Lyle Wells, noting the significance of his purposeful life and accomplishments; and WHEREAS, Lyle Wells of North Fork, New York, died on his farm on Thursday, January 25, 2018, at the age of 62; and WHEREAS, In 1661, William Wells was granted three parcels of land in Aquebogue, New York; for 350 years, the Wells Family has owned and operated Wells Homestead Acres at 4162 Sound Avenue, making them the oldest farmers in Aquebogue, New York; and WHEREAS, A true visionary, Lyle Wells was born with dirt running through his veins, and sweat pouring from his brow; as soon as he could handle a hoe, Lyle was tending to his vegetable garden; he was curious about plants and always strived to grow the best quality products with the latest technological practices; and WHEREAS, Throughout the years, Lyle Wells held numerous jobs but always found his way back to the land; and WHEREAS, Lyle Wells prided himself on his tender asparagus, and was recognized as the largest asparagus grower on Long Island; Lyle harvested between 4,000-5,000 crates of asparagus each season, and sold the produce to local farm stands, supermarkets, and online grocer Fresh Direct; and WHEREAS, Known as the Father of Land Preservation, Lyle Wells was committed to saving Long Island's precious farmland; he served as the President of the Long Island Farm Bureau, where he was instrumental in creating the Transfer Development Rights Program; he was also a member of the Riverhead Town Planning Board; and WHEREAS, Lyle Wells will long be remembered for many things such as his infectious laughter, infinite kindness, love of the land, role as Mr. Fix-it, delicious asparagus, and above all, his role as a multi-generational farmer and loving father and grandfather; and WHEREAS, Lyle Wells truly lived his life to the fullest; he loved to feel the cold dirt sift through his fingers in the early morning light, and reveled in the sun as it set on his way home from the fields; he strongly believed in his mantra, "Positive is how I live"; and WHEREAS, Through his diligence and expertise in farming, Lyle Wells has brought pride and recognition to himself, his local community, and to our great Empire State; and WHEREAS, Predeceased by his parents, Kenneth L. and Justine Wells; and two brothers, Kent Wells and Scott Wells, Lyle Wells is survived by his daughter, Jessica (Carlos) de Vera Wells; two sons, Matthew Wells and Logan Wells; his partner, Wendy Kukla; two grandsons, Laird and Warner; two brothers, Mark Wells and Brett Wells; the mother of his children, Susan Wells, and many other family members and friends, as well as a legion of fellow farmers who will long cherish his memory; and WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of compassion, Lyle Wells leaves behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to mourn the death of Lyle Wells, legendary North Fork farmer, family man, and devoted member of his community; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of Lyle Wells.