Assembly Resolution No. 869

BY: M. of A. Palumbo

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.