On Friday, June 25, the Hudson River Museum will host Looking Up, Looking Forward: A Gala to Benefit the Hudson River Museum with a special outdoor evening event in our bucolic courtyard. This is our most important fundraiser of the year, providing essential resources to the HRM and our community during an especially challenging year.

This year’s gala also celebrates four truly outstanding honorees who have strengthened the community, enriched our lives through their creativity, and shown exemplary leadership and philanthropy: Bonnie Bell-Curran, Marcus C. John, the Martinelli Family, and Richard Haas.

The final honoree we are spotlighting is the Martinelli Family.

The Martinelli Family, cultural champions that span several generations, are owners of Today Media—publishers of Westchester Magazine, Hudson Valley Magazine, Delaware Today, Main Line Today, and of course, the County-wide Best of Westchester event. They are widely admired in the industry for their innovative approach to publishing in print and online.

The modern saga of the family began with James Martinelli, an Italian master mason who emigrated to the USA in 1895. He established a successful contracting business in the Bronx while also helping to develop Immaculate Conception parish. A proud member of the Sons of Italy, he set the family standard for community and public service. His son, Ralph, born in 1896, enlisted in the Army and earned citizenship by fighting in WWI. He was Angelo’s dad, a VFW commander nicknamed “the Duke” who redirected the family business into printing.

Angelo also enlisted in the Army in WWII before returning to establish a family with his beloved Carol in Mount Vernon and Yonkers. Their service to the local community was profound, including Yonkers PAL, Untermyer Garden Conservancy, St. Joseph’s Medical Center and the Queens Daughters, among others. A six-time Mayor of Yonkers, Angelo’s printing company, Gazette Press, Inc. was the foundation for what became Today Media, Inc.

This heritage of charitable and public service begun over 100 years ago continues today through the efforts and dedication of their children, Judge Michael (Jeanne), Paul (Lori), Rob (Alice), Rich (Beth Ann), and Tom (Kathy). The tradition was further enhanced by their late sixth son, Ralph Martinelli, who directed the magazines’ contributions to organizations like Feeding Westchester and Arts Westchester as well as further expansion into the Best of Westchester and other special events. The family is proud that Angelo and Ralph’s legacy and Today Media, Inc. are sustained today by Rob and Rich as well as by the next generation in the family business, Michael, Jr. and Jack.