By ARIELLA MONTI
While Yannelli has said that he will continue to practice law and stay active in the village, his peers expressed sincere sadness regarding his decision.
"I tried to talk him out of it," said Village Justice William Croutier who has called Yannelli a friend and a mentor. "I think it's a real loss to the village. He's been such a fine example, leader and gentleman through the years."
"I am going to be very sorry to see Judge Yannelli go," said Mayor Mary Bossart. "He's been a wonderful village justice, has run the court and brought it to its current state of efficiency and fairness and he will be difficult to replace."
A longtime village resident, Yannelli has been a practicing attorney since 1964. In addition to his roles in Village Court he has been a member of the Executive Board of the Rockville Centre Economic Opportunity Council, the Board of Zoning Appeals, member of the of the Board of Directors of Confide, Inc. and the Rockville Centre Foundation.
Those who know him, call the 71-year-old avid runner a gentleman who served the village with compassion and fairness.
"He is a mentor to me and every attorney that has appeared before him or worked for him," said Deputy Village Attorney Mindy Roman. "He is kind, fair, wise and above all, a gentleman."
Former village attorney, Martha Krisel echoed Roman's comments by saying "Judge Yannelli is a wonderful, compassionate, talented judge who will be badly missed by the entire village."
Former Justice Robert Williams said that Yannelli deserves some time off. "We had a very good working relationship," said Williams of his 16-year partnership with Yannelli. "I'm sure that he's deserving of taking some time off having served the people of Rockville Centre for so many years and doing such a great job."
Yannelli's resume also includes service for the Nassau County Bar Association. As its president in 1989, he urged adoption of a Creed of Professionalism and created a free senior citizens clinic. In 2007 he was presented with the Bar Association's Attorney Professionalism Award.
A noted family man, Yannelli has been married to his wife Roberta, a special education teacher at St. Agnes Cathedral Elementary School, for 42 years. The couple has three sons, Christopher, 41, Michael, 39, and Thomas, 35.
Croutier said that Yannelli and Williams are leaving big shoes to fill. "I hope I can do the job as well as they did and I hope whoever gets the new position will do as good a job as Judge Williams and Judge Yannelli."
