Obituaries

Bronze Star winner Charles A. Reich, 99

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Charles A. Reich, 99, passed away on March 24, 2017.

He was born Jan. 22, 1918, in New York City to the late Solomon and Yetta Reich.

He served in the U.S. Army’s 662nd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Machine Gun Battery as a corporal for two years during World War II. He survived a fiery plane crash in the jungles of New Guinea, shrapnel wounds and malaria. He was awarded the Bronze Star from the Army.

He was raised in the Crotona Park section of the Bronx, and then moved to the Kingsbridge area before settling in Riverdale.

Mr. Reich worked as a linotype-printing operator during the golden age of New York City newspapers. He worked at the Daily News, The New York Times, and primarily, the Journal American.

He married Ruth Sherman in 1946, and they were married 59 years until she died in 2005. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

He was a longtime member of the Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale, and a community activist in the Bronx. He was instrumental in securing funds for park beautification in Riverdale, and battled with the city to make much needed road repairs.

In the sports arena, he was an avid tennis player and competed (and won) many championships in the Bronx.

He is survived by his two sons, Steve of Riverdale and William of Sudbury, Massachusetts. Grandchildren: Adam Reich of Tampa, Florida; Pamela Reich Calotta of Riverdale; Michael Reich of New York; Andrew Reich of Hoboken, New Jersey. Great-grandchildren: Brianna and Taylor Reich of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Jeremy and Rachel Calotta of Riverdale.

Funeral services were held at Cedar Park Cemetery in Emerson, New Jersey. Funeral arrangements were handled by Weinstein Memorial Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Charles Reich’s memory to Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH, 45250-0301, or call (877) 647-8387.

Charles A. Reich,