Obituary of James F. Riter

Mr. James F. Riter, age 83, died Monday, June 12, 2006 at his home in Broadalbin, NY. He was born on August 31, 1922 in Jersey City, NJ, the son of the late George and Myrtle Miller Riter. He was a graduate of Hartford Central School, then served with the US Army Corps of Engineers from 1945 to 1946. He received his Bachelor?s degree from Springfield College in 1951, his Masters degree from Ithaca College, and later received his School Administration Certification from SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Plattsburg in 1970. Mr Riter served as director of physical education at Shenango Forks Central School from 1952 to 1967, as well as varsity footbal coach. He was Saratoga City Schools director of health and physical education and JV and varsity track coach from 1967 to 1968. From 1968-1969 he was a physical education teacher and coached football and basketball for the Argyle School District. He was assistant principal at Saugerties Junior High School from 1969 to 1971, and was vice-principal at Gloversville High School from 1972 to 1975. He then worked in the Federal Green Thumb program from 1975 until 2002. He attended the First Presbyterian Church of Broadalbin, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and loved his horses. Survivors include his wife, Sandra J. Santella Riter of Broadalbin; two daughters, Karen L. Brown of Gloversville and Judith A. Merriam Brian of Schenectady; a sister, Myrtle Doris Ingman of Pennsylvania; two step-children, Michele Ryan John of Poughkeepsie and Michael Santella of Montrose, PA; three grandchildren, Tyler Merriam , Jenson Merriam and Kalina Merriam; seven step-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and cousins. The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 pm Wednesday at Jeffords & Stewart Funeral Home, 85 W. Main St; Broadalbin, where a funeral service will be held at 10:00 am Thursday. Interment will take place at Morningside Cemetery, Hartford, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice, 108 Steele Avenue, Gloversville, NY 12078.