H-ton Mourns Former Teacher Who Perished in Crash

The Farmingdale band bus tragedy that claimed two lives and sent dozens to the hospital last week, reverberated through Huntington UFSD and among many alumni. The crash fatally injured Gina Pellettiere, who taught in Huntington for five years and was well-liked by her faculty colleagues and students, most of whom have never forgotten the gifted educator.

Huntington music teachers reacted with shock to the news. “Gina was a loving mother; a passionate teacher; a laugh and smile that will be forever cherished,” said Josephine Greco. “She was a personality that could light up a town. A reliable friend. A mentor. A skilled musician. Fearless. Ambitious. Full of life. Irreplaceable.”

Ms. Pellettiere earned undergraduate and graduate degrees at Hofstra University in 2001 and 2006, respectively. The Huntington School Board appointed her as a music teacher at a public meeting on June 25, 2001. Trustees granted her tenure three years later. She resigned from the district on October 1, 2006 to accept the position of director of bands at Farmingdale High School.

“Gina and I started our music education careers together at Finley,” said Frank Battista, a veteran Huntington UFSD music teacher. “Both of us started teaching at Finley fresh out of college in 2001. We each grew so much over those first few years and had an amazing time in the process. Gina was always full of energy and found a way to reach every student she interacted with. The students and Finley staff loved her big smile, infectious laugh and passion for music. She and I kept in touch after she moved her career to Farmingdale. It was always a pleasure catching up with Gina at marching band events, NYSSMA festivals and occasional sporting events. Gina loved the Mets! Over the past 15 years, I have also had the pleasure of helping some of her talented percussion students prepare for college auditions and festivals.”

Many Huntington faculty members who worked alongside Ms. Pellettiere are still employed in the district today. They took the news of the crash and her death hard.

“Gina’s passion for music and teaching was obvious to anyone who knew her,” longtime Huntington UFSD music teacher Dr. Jason Giachetti said. “She was an amazing teacher taken from us far too soon.”

Ms. Pellettiere was leading a group of hundreds of Farmingdale students to a band camp in Greeley, Pennsylvania when the bus she was riding in left Interstate 84 in the Town of Wawayanda and flipped down a 50 foot ravine, killing the band director along with retired social studies teacher, Beatrice Ferrari, who was serving as a trip chaperone and injuring many students, including five seriously. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Ms. Ferrari was the aunt of Huntington UFSD fifth grade orchestra teacher Christina Bhasin.

“Gina was a strong, enthusiastic, independent women whose love for music and people met no bound,” said Andre Rizzuto, the current Blue Devil marching band director. “Gina was a prominent figure in the industry of music education. She was able to bring people together in a way that just always felt organic and right and that came through her personality and character as an individual. Any environment she was in, it was always more uplifting when she was around and that was the best trait she brought out in every person and soul she has touched. Gina was taken from us way too soon, but her memory will live on through the people and lives she has inspired through her life. We love you Gina, rest easy.”

The terrible accident hit Huntington faculty and alumni in different ways. “As a former Daler myself, (Class of ’91) I know that this hits home for me and it may certainly have an impact on some of us here both in the marching band community and otherwise,” wrote high school Principal Brenden Cusack in a message to staff.

“Her Farmingdale students all loved her and enjoyed many funny stories of our early days teaching together,” Mr. Battista said. “Gina’s passion, energy and love of music will truly be missed by all who have had the pleasure of knowing her.”

In her relatively short time in Huntington and during her subsequent career in Farmingdale, Ms. Pellittiere made a lasting mark.

“Gina had an infectious energy and a larger than life personality,” Huntington music teacher Tara Adams said. “Her fierce passion and enthusiasm made everyone around her want to be the best version of themselves. She wouldn’t let you get away with anything less. She was a genuine, loyal, big-hearted friend, a terrific musician, and a dedicated teacher. Gina made an amazing impact on all who were lucky enough to know her.”

The parents of Huntington alums who knew Ms. Pellittiere were even shaken and reached out to district officials.

“Gina was magnetic,” Huntington music teacher Chelsea Jablon said. “When I met her at Hofstra in 2003, I knew I wanted to be just like ‘that.’ What I didn’t know at the time was that no one could hold a candle to Gina’s gift for making everyone feel like part of the family. She taught me that it didn’t matter that although I wasn’t the best player in the band, I still belonged. She taught me that hard work always pays off and that there was no point wasting time worrying what other people thought. In 2007, while I was interviewing for the Huntington job, Gina was the first person to teach me what a special and diverse district Huntington was, unlike any other community on Long Island. Gina was a light and once she became a mom to her son, Joseph she shined even brighter.”