Concert held to aid family of Ben Goodale

The community came together last night to support the family of  Riverhead Town Police Officer Ben Goodale, who died suddenly in October at age 42. 

A fundraising concert at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Aquebogue attracted a crowd of about 120 people. 

“Really what’s happening here tonight, I believe, is a celebration of the Christmas spirit,” the church’s pastor, Charles Byer, told those in attendance. “When we act as Jesus did, putting the needs of others before our own and helping them, that’s what Jesus did, and that’s what he came to do. Tonight, that’s what you’re here to do…You’re here to help someone – someone who suffered a loss that probably only some of us can imagine and hope to never go through. Kathy and Brittany and Gavin lost a loved one,” Byer said of Goodale’s widow and two young sons. “They said goodbye to a husband, to a father, so we’re here just to show our mutual support and our help to this family…and that is the Christmas spirit.”

Joe Allegue and his son Cory helped organize the fundraise and played in the concert.

“The North Fork is a very unique place — I don’t want to say ‘clannish’ in a bad way, it’s a good way – everybody really sticks together, and there’s a lot of very, very talented musicians out here. Whenever there’s something that involves our fork, it doesn’t matter what township it is, we all get involved with it and make sure that we can help out whatever family it is, whatever situation it is,” Allegue said.

The musicians put the event together, Allegue said.

The evening featured barbecue donated by Maple Tree BBQ and performances by a host of local musicians: Gene Casey, James O’Malley, Fred Raimondo, Rob Europe, The Earthtones’ Rick Hall and Glenn Henry Jochum, Eddie Ayala, Mariann Megna, Southold Slim Joe, Lorraine Collotta Sferlazza, Nicholas Kerzner, Points East, Bella Vocci, Don Bracken and Higher Ground.

Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski was among the first to arrive. He said he didn’t know the family personally but knew of their loss.

“It’s something you do at the holiday season to try to help people out. It’s a nice idea and these people are giving of their time. It’s really nice, really nice to see that,” Krupski said.

Bracken said many of the attendees were police officers. Goodale’s widow, Katherine, also attended. Bracken said she was grateful for the show of support.

“She’s been overwhelmed by the outpouring she’s gotten from people,” he said.

Photo caption, from top: 1. Don Bracken and Higher Ground and 2. Donna Butler performing at fundraiser concert for family of Ben Goodale.