In Loving Memory of Our Friend and Colleague, Former Town Councilman Rick Martel • Southampton, NY
June 26, 2026
It is with great sorrow, and shock, that we have to announce the untimely passing of our friend and colleague, former Town Councilman Rick Martel.
Throughout his personal and professional life, Rick repeatedly demonstrated a strong commitment to this community. Beginning his first term of office in January of 2020, he collaborated with various organizations to ensure food and medicine were readily available to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the sudden influx of visitors to the East End, and the accompanying spike in beachgoers, Rick worked with several town departments to implement parking restrictions at road-end beaches to minimize the impact on local residents.
In April 2025, Rick was elected as a Town Councilman once again. He continued to address key community issues and prioritize quality of life concerns. These included, among other initiatives, legislation to prohibit peddling and solicitation within local roadways. In his capacity as a liaison to Hampton Bays, Rick sponsored the creation of an advisory committee regarding the future of the former Bel-Aire Cove Motel. This, in turn, helped further proposals to convert the land into a public park.
As dedicated employees, you likely worked with Rick while he served as liaison to multiple town departments, divisions, committees and special projects. They included Parks and Recreation, Highway, the Hampton Bays Water District, Community Preservation, the Youth Bureau, affordable housing, fire and ambulance services, the Great East End Cleanup, the Red Creek Park Skate Park, and Penny Park. In addition to his hometown of Hampton Bays, the councilman also served as the liaison to the hamlets of Flanders, Riverside, Northampton, Bridgehampton, Sagaponack, and Water Mill.
Outside of his efforts at Town Hall, Rick was a pillar of Hampton Bays and an active participant in the community at-large. In addition to the Little League and Youth Basketball League, he was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Southampton since 1980, heading the club’s food pantry donations, and previously serving on the scholarship committee and as advisor to the Key Club and K-Kids. He is a former Booster Club president, board member for the Hampton Bays Chamber of Commerce, President of the San Gennaro Feast of the Hamptons, and President of Hampton Bays Sports, Incorporated. His Main Street sporting goods store, Skidmore’s Sports & Styles, is a fixture among local merchants and the regional go-to outfitter for all manner of athletics.
Rightfully acclaiming him as “Truly a Team Player,” the Southampton Press named Rick the Person of the Year in 2022. In 2023, he was unanimously chosen by the Michael Collins Division 11 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians to lead their 17th annual Saint Patrick’s parade as its Grand Marshal.
During these difficult days, we will continue to think of Rick’s friends and family, especially wife Debbie, and sons Dan and Rick, to whom we offer our deepest condolences.
The wake will be held at the Hand Aldrich Post #924 of the American Legion, 55 Ponquogue Avenue in Hampton Bays on Wednesday, July 1, from 7:00-9:00 PM and Thursday, July 2, from 3:00-9:00 PM.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Rosalie’s Church, 31 East Montauk Hwy in Hampton Bays on Friday July 3, at 10:30 AM.
