Obituary of Leonard J. Reichel

Leonard J. Reichel, 85, of Amsterdam, passed away on Saturday December 31, 2022 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Amsterdam, surrounded by his family, following a brief illness.

Born in Amsterdam NY on February 4, 1937, he was the son of the late Leonard J. Reichel Sr. and Grada Schutte Reichel.

Len was a graduate of Amsterdam High School Class of 1955 and attended Hudson Valley Community College.

He was a US Navy Veteran serving from 1956 to 1960 as an electronics mate on the submarine USS IREX SS 482 where he attained the rank of Petty Officer Third Class.

Len started his career in computer services working for Univac and subsequently IBM. He then accepted a position as a computer services manager for Sorbus Inc. He was promoted to District Manager when Sorbus was purchased by Bell Atlantic Inc. That promotion took him to Virginia, where he lived for several years before moving to New Hampshire. He ultimately returned to Amsterdam as the Albany District Manager for Decision One/Verizon retiring in 1997.

He was a parishioner and communicant of Historic St. Mary’s Church in Amsterdam and was a former member of the Knights of Columbus.

To say that Len was an avid hunter is an understatement. Hunting was his passion his entire life. He was compelled to have one final hunt this past fall at the age of 85 and, with the help of his nephew Brian, he was able to fill his last deer tag. Fishing came in a close second to hunting with Len backpacking several miles into Sergeant’s Pond in the Adirondacks or taking his boat to fish for lake trout in the Finger Lakes. He also enjoyed planting and tending to his garden, which seemed to grow bigger every year. He loved watching NASCAR with his grandson. Len was also an avid NY Yankees Fan.  He enjoyed summers also on the Sacandaga Lake and was a member of the Sacandaga Boat Club.

Leonard married Patricia M. Brzezicki October 19, 1957 until her passing on March 15, 1993. He then married Mary F. Riley on September 20, 1997.

He is survived by his loving wife, Mary F. Reichel of Amsterdam. Dear children, Debra Auriemma and her husband Victor of Hagaman, NY and Scott Reichel and his wife Lori of Amsterdam. His cherished grandchildren, Tyler, Kimberley, Andrew and Matthew Reichel. Niece and nephew, Sherry (Michael) Sollecito and Brian(Joann) Reichel. He is also survived by a brother-in-law William (Rosemary) Brzezicki and sister-in-law  Elizabeth Smitka as well as several more nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Leonard was predeceased by his son, Gary Reichel on August 8, 2016; his twin brother, Lawrence Reichel on October 27, 2004; nephew, Wayne Reichel on September 17, 2020 and brothers-in-law William Riley on August, 02, 2007 and David Smitka on June 02, 2012.

A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday January 6, 2023 at 12:30 PM at Historic St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, East Main St., Amsterdam with Rev. Martin Kordel presiding. Military honors will take place in the church on Friday following the Mass.   Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Ft. Johnson, NY.   The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday January 5th, 2023 from 4:00 to 7:00PM at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Ave, Amsterdam, NY 12010. Memorial contributions may be made to: The Autism Society of the Greater Capital Region, 433 State Street, 4th Floor, Schenectady, NY 12305 email: resource@asgcr.org.; Mountain Valley Hospice, 108 Steele Ave, Gloversville, NY 12078.; or to the Montgomery County Office for the Aging, 135 Guy Park Ave, Amsterdam, NY 12010. Please leave condolences online at www.brbsfuneral.com