Why I support Kenneth Rothwell for Riverhead Town supervisor

To the residents of the Town of Riverhead,

There are moments in life that change you forever. Moments that divide your life into a before and an after. For me, that moment came in January 2021, when I lost my 18-year-old son, Raistlin Ruther.

At the time, I was living in California, while my son was staying with my parents in Riverhead. I received a phone call that no parent should ever have to answer. It was my mother, telling me that my son was missing and that people were out searching for him. My son Raistlin had gone kayaking across the Great Peconic Bay and never returned home.

As a mother, something inside me immediately knew something was terribly wrong.

A few hours later, my worst nightmare became reality. Police and fire department personnel had located my son’s body near Southampton. My beautiful boy was gone.

There are simply no words to describe the pain of losing a child. No parent should ever have to bury their son or daughter. No parent should ever have to make funeral arrangements for a child whose entire life was still ahead of him.

I immediately began the drive from California back to New York. It was a journey that felt like an eternity. Every mile was filled with heartbreak, disbelief, and the unbearable realization that I would never see my son alive again.

As I made my way home, I was overwhelmed by everything that awaited me. How would I say goodbye to my son? How would I arrange a funeral? How would I possibly afford to give him the farewell he deserved?

What I did not know was that, while I was making that agonizing journey, someone back in Riverhead had already stepped forward to help my family.

That man was Kenneth Rothwell.

When I finally returned to Riverhead, I discovered that Kenneth Rothwell had personally arranged and covered the expenses for my son’s funeral. The services were arranged through Alexander-Rothwell Funeral Home, where every detail was taken care of for me during a time when I was overwhelmed with grief. Ken told me not to worry about the money. He told me to go be with my other two sons and my family, and that everything was being taken care of.

When I finally sat down with Ken I learned that he was actively involved in the search for my son. He told me how good Raistlin had been to his own son and what a wonderful young man he was. Ken had reached out to my sister and other family members after learning of Raistlin’s passing. He explained that his son and Raistlin had been involved in ROTC together and that my son had always been a good person to his son.

I had never imagined that a connection between two young men would lead to an act of kindness that my family and I would carry in our hearts for the rest of our lives.

For a grieving mother, hearing those words meant more than he could ever know. At a time when my world had completely fallen apart, he reminded me that my son’s kindness and character had touched other people’s lives.

He gave me something that money could never buy: peace of mind during the darkest moment of my life.

He allowed me to focus on grieving my son, comforting my other children, and being surrounded by my family instead of worrying about how I was going to pay to bury my child. For weeks afterward, he called to check on me and my family. He wanted to know how we were doing and whether we needed anything. 

He never asked for recognition. He never sought publicity. He never expected anything in return.

He simply saw a family experiencing unimaginable heartbreak and chose to help.

That is the true measure of a person’s character: what they do for others when nobody is watching and there is absolutely nothing to gain.

I eventually moved back to Riverhead, the community my son called home. When I learned that Kenneth Rothwell, now serving as a Riverhead Town Councilman, was running for town supervisor, I felt compelled to share my story.

I know his compassion. I know his generosity. I know his integrity. And I know that his concern for others is genuine.

We often hear politicians talk about family values, community, compassion, and putting people first. Those words are easy to say. Living by them is something entirely different.

Kenneth Rothwell lived those values for my family long before I considered supporting him for public office.

Riverhead deserves leadership that remembers the people behind the decisions. Leadership that understands that a town is more than budgets, buildings, roads, and politics. A town is made up of families, neighbors, children, and people who sometimes need someone to stand beside them when life becomes unbearable.

I believe Kenneth Rothwell is that kind of leader.

If he can show that much compassion to one grieving mother and her family, without expecting a single thing in return, imagine the heart he can bring to serving an entire town.

I am not sharing this story because Ken asked me to. I am sharing it because people deserve to know who he is beyond the campaign signs, political titles, and election speeches.

I am sharing it because, at the worst moment of my life, Kenneth Rothwell showed me the best of humanity.

And I am sharing it because I believe the Town of Riverhead needs leaders who possess not only the ability to lead, but also the heart to care.

I proudly and wholeheartedly support Kenneth Rothwell for Riverhead Town Supervisor.

Ken,

I do not know if I will ever find the words to adequately thank you for what you did for my son and my family.

You gave Raistlin a beautiful and dignified farewell. You gave a grieving mother the ability to focus on her children when she could barely find the strength to face another day. When I was overwhelmed by loss, you lifted a burden I could not have carried alone.

Most importantly, you reminded us that even in our darkest moments, there are still extraordinary people in this world.

I will never forget what you did for us, and neither will my family.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you, Ken.

Riverhead would be fortunate to have a man of your compassion, character, and integrity leading our town.

A Forever Grateful Mother,

Laura Gandara
Mother of Raistlin Ruther