Richard Stocksieker Obituary

Richard J. Stocksieker passed away after a lengthy illness June 3, 2006.
He was born Sept. 1, 1909, on a farm in Loxstedt, Germany.
After completing studies at the Realgymnasium, he served as an apprentice in business. An early sign of his enterprising spirit was his organization of a soccer club in his hometown.
Richard immigrated to the United States in 1929, beginning work as a grocery clerk. He was soon tapped by the Grand Union Company and at the age of 22 became its youngest manager, transferring to stores in New York state and Pennsylvania.
After settling in New York City, his entrepreneurial skills helped him build wholesale and retail sales in the food industry, including the Wise Potato Chip Company.
Richard's wish to take his family out of the city spurred the move to the Catskills and Dingle Hill in Andes in 1950. Pride, determination and hard work, along with support and work from family, enabled him to build up a successful dairy farm with a fine herd of purebred Holstein cows.
Soon after his arrival on Dingle Hill, he organized the farmers to bring telephone service to the hill. Richard also brought bulk milk collection to the area and served as an elected representative of the Dairy Lea milk cooperative.
Upon his retirement from dairy farming, he became an independent real-estate broker and was an assessor in Andes for many years. Then, during his advanced years, he spent time in Louisiana, Germany and Athens, Greece; at this time he designed a roof without nails, and holds a patent on this idea in Washington, D.C.
One of his last joys was his membership in the German Club of the Northern Catskills.
Richard loved his family, the company of people and his beloved Dingle Hill.
He is survived by a sister, Mathilda Kappey of Einbeck, Germany; three daughters, Irene S. Di Maio, Brenda Reeser and Vera A. Tzelepis; his grandchildren, Augelos Tzelepis, Lara Viator and John Tzelepis; and great-grandsons, Ethan and Jack Viator.
He was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Bertl Alexy, whom he married in February 1938; his brother, Fredi Stocksieker; and two sisters, Amanda Kraus and Irma von Hollen, all of Germany.
Funeral services will take place at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Delhi, at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 7, 2006, with the Rev. John Priest officiating.
Friends and relatives may call at the MacArthur Funeral Home, Delhi, from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, 2006.
Burial will take place in Andes Cemetery, Andes, immediately following the service.
The family would like to thank all those whose kind words and deeds made Richard's final year brighter, including the staff and volunteers of the Catskill Area Hospice.
For those who wish, contributions may be made in Richard Stocksieker's memory to the Catskill Area Hospice, 116 Main St., Delhi, NY 13753.
Arrangements are with the MacArthur Funeral Home of Delhi.