Jenny and Joseph Tranfaglia founded Little Angel Fund after death of their daughter

When Jenny and Joseph Tranfaglia lost their premature baby after just 33 days of life in 1984, they said they were determined to help educate and comfort other families facing the same situation.

The Farmingville couple channeled their grief into creating the nonprofit Little Angel Fund, comprised of parents helping other moms and dads who have seriously ill or premature babies in the neonatal intensive care unit at Stony Brook University Hospital.

The fund’s work has included providing hospital parking passes and preparing welcome bags filled with items such as bibs, socks and hand sanitizer for thousands of local families. In August, the organization celebrated its 40th anniversary with a picnic in Centereach that attracted more than 100 people, including several of the children and parents who have been helped by the fund.

“We never thought this tiny little baby would have such far-reaching effects,” Jenny Tranfaglia, 72, said. “We wanted her to be remembered in a special way, and we thought what better way than by helping others.”

The couple’s daughter, Amanda Rose, was born 16 weeks premature in December 1983 and weighed just 1 pound, 9½ ounces. Tranfaglia said she was at the hospital every day as Amanda fought for her life, and she felt that comforts for families were lacking at the time.

“We left there when she passed and they gave us a garbage bag with some stuff in it like a toy from the fire department and a hat that the nurses had made — not much at the time,” she recalled. “I thought, ‘This is not going to work for the future.’ When you’re going through such a difficult time, you really feel like you’re alone. Being here, we can be that support for them.”

The Little Angel Fund’s efforts over the decades have included providing memory boxes with white gowns for families whose babies have died, as well as occasionally footing funeral expenses. The organization also provides meals for hospital nurses on Thanksgiving and Christmas, said the Tranfaglias, who have one son, Nicholas, 38.

To fund its endeavors, the organization welcomes donations and has held fundraisers such as golf outings and fashion shows.

“They’re wonderful human beings, and I can’t speak highly enough about them,” said Eliana Duarte, assistant director of nursing and the nurse manager at Stony Brook’s NICU. “They go above and beyond and are truly amazing.”

Carmen DiBartolomeo, of Lloyd Harbor, said she benefited from the Tranfaglias' kindness when her son, Joseph, was born prematurely. He died just short of six months old due to complications following surgery in 1999, she said.

DiBartolomeo said she and Tranfaglia spoke often and the fellow mother provided her with much-needed emotional support.   

“I credit them with helping me through one of the toughest times in my life,” said DiBartolomeo. “The support they gave us was immeasurable. They are truly an inspirational couple who have stood at the helm of this independent organization making sure every dollar goes right back to the parents and supporting the staff of the unit to give the best care to families.”

For more information on the Little Angel Fund, visit littleangelfundinc.org.

By Michael R. Ebert

michael.ebert@newsday.com

Michael R. Ebert is an education researcher and has worked for Newsday in various capacities since 2003. He was part of an 11-person team named as 2008 Pulitzer Prize finalists for investigative coverage of the LIRR's platform safety issues.