The lines were long, longer than usual at the Lucky Taco food truck at Bushnell park Tuesday.
“A lot more call-ins and it’s only 12:15,” said Dave Evans, Owner.
Many were lunching in honor of Lori Gellatly, who worked across the street at the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection until she was shot to death, allegedly by her husband.
“We’re donating a dollar per ticket, and then we’re gonna also match a little bit of that” said Evans, who added his business donates to many local causes. The proceeds from today’s fundraiser will go to Lori Gellatly’s twin 18 month old children.
“Dave’s always showing up and doing the right thing,” said Peter Brunelli, a former DEEP colleague of Gellatly. “It’s just another example of him being a great business man here on the park.”
Today’s fundraiser was bittersweet for the man who was Lori Gellatly’s direct supervisor for the past 3 years.
“She volunteered her time,” noted Keith Hill. “She loved to bake, so she was always willing to bring in baked goods. She was very well liked and just a very good worker.”
The mission of any state agency is to look out for the public. But now, others have to make sure DEEP employees are coping alright.
“I know, for me, talking about it with my staff and my immediate manager and just talking through it, that’s been very helpful,” said Hill, who supervised Gellatly for three years.
In addition to the Lucky Taco donations, DEEP employees have also established a fund to assist Lori Gellatly’s children. Contributions can be directed to the Noah and Lili Gellatly Scholarship Fund, C/O Webster Bank, 60 Oxford Road, Oxford, CT 06478