Cohen comes through: Thank you

To the editor:

Riverdale’s councilman Andrew Cohen deserves great credit for correcting a financial injustice directed at a decorated World War II veteran.

Charles A. Reich died at the age of 99 on March 24. This was long after he survived a fiery plane crash in the jungles of New Guinea during World War II. He languished in the plane for days until he was rescued. He was awarded the Bronze Star by the U.S. Army.

For nearly 40 years, he lived at 2675 Henry Hudson Parkway. Following his death, a request was made that his security deposit of $1,031 be returned to his next of kin.

The landlord refused the request. The managing agent maintained that Mr. Reich broke the lease that was due to expire in April 2018 by virtue of his death. As a result, the managing agent asserted that it was following New York state law.

The agent never returned subsequent phone calls to address this injustice.

Mr. Reich didn’t ever voluntarily intend to break the lease, and was expecting to live until April 2018 and beyond, at which time, he would have been more than 100 years of age. Unfortunately, he could not overcome bladder cancer, which he battled to the very end of his life.

He would have surely wanted that security deposit returned to his family. He was a good tenant. He cared about the building, its staff, and he always paid his rent on time.

To redress the situation, the family contacted Councilman Cohen’s office. After countless letters and phone calls, the councilman’s representative, Joshua Stephenson, convinced the managing agent to do the right thing by returning the security deposit to the family.

Kudos to Councilman Cohen and his staff for working so tirelessly. 

STEVE REICH

The author is writing on behalf of the Charles A. Reich family.