Rico Holley during an equipment check at the Oak Bluffs fire station.
Mark Lovewell

Islanders Rally for Injured Painter

<p>Fundraisers are underway for Enrico Holley, an Island painter who was seriously injured last week when he fell off a roof.</p>

Fundraisers are underway for Enrico Holley, an Island painter who was seriously injured last week when he fell off a roof.

Edgartown police said Mr. Holley, 48, was injured when he fell off a roof at an Edgartown job site on Oct. 28.

Carol Ingraham, who owns Island Color Center in Vineyard Haven with her husband Bill, has started raising funds for Mr. Holley and his family.

Mrs. Ingraham said Mr. Holley, a painter and an Oak Bluffs volunteer firefighter, was airlifted to Massachusetts General Hospital with injuries including a skull fracture, broken ribs, and injuries to his lungs and spine. Right now, Mrs. Ingraham said, Mr. Holley is fighting double pneumonia.

“He’s in pretty bad shape,” Mrs. Ingraham said. “It’s going to be a long haul for him.”

Last Friday, Mrs. Ingraham started a fund in Mr. Holley’s name to help the family with expenses. So far, she said, $2,199 has been contributed.

“All the painters are contributing, all the contractors, the homeowners,” Mrs. Ingraham told the Gazette. “It’s been great.”

Donations are being managed by You’ve Got A Friend, Inc. (YGAF), a local charitable nonprofit organization established 15 years ago to aid Islanders suffering from a catastrophic illness or event.

Shirley’s Hardware is also selling raffle tickets to raise money for Mr. Holley. Tickets are $2 each or three for $5; the winner will receive a holiday-themed gift basket with PartyLite candles and accessories. The raffle will continue through the end of the month.

A spaghetti dinner and silent auction to benefit Mr. Holley is planned for Dec. 12 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Portuguese-American Club.

Contributions in honor of Enrico Holley may be mailed directly to YGAF, Inc. c/o Enrico Holley, P.O. Box 1317, West Tisbury, Ma 02575. Checks should be made out to YGAF. 

Comments

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 11/07/2014 - 14:32

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Tom Hodgson WT

Go find a friend. Tell them Rico's story. Then say, "If you give ten (or whatever sum) bucks, I'll give ten, too --- let's do it right now!" And do it.

Or the next time you go to buy cigarettes or a cup of coffee, go to Shirley's, instead, and buy a bunch of raffle tickets. When you win, give the basket back to Shirley's so they can raffle it off again.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 11/08/2014 - 11:38

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Michael West Vineyard Haven

Thanks for covering this. I didn't know about Rico's accident. Thanks also to Island Color Center, Shirleys Hardware and the Portuguese-American Club for being part of the solution.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 11/08/2014 - 17:13

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Peter A. Guest Vineyard Haven

Thanks to Shirley's ,Island Color Center, and The Gazette. Let's all dig deep and help a good Island neighbor.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 11/11/2014 - 20:05

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Pete Crisafulli Southampton, MA

Rico and I did a lot of painting together, 1984 to 1987!!! Yes, back in the day! We played guitars and sang together! He totally entertained me and became a great friend! I'll be sending my donation as well as the most positive vibes for healing and recovery. This man is a firefighter! Willing to lay it on the line for us, please consider giving to him now in his time of need. Pete

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