Rich, Joseph

Description

Joseph R. Rich was born on January 26th, 1920 to parents Micheal and Lena Rich. Joseph and his family lived on 84 Overlook Place in Rye, and members of the Curch of the Resurrection. When Joseph was growing up, Rye was a small town with a population of 9,865. He lived with his parents and multiple siblings, Samuel, Laura, Marie, and Michael, and Joseph’s uncle, James. Joseph’s father owned their house and it was valued at $3,000 ($57,000 in today’s dollars).

Joseph attended Rye High School, and graduated class of 1938. While at RHS, he participated in the play “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” was a member of the Self Reliant club, a Football Manager as well as a Junior Coach. After graduation, Joseph worked as a Plumber’s Helper, working 24 hours in the last week of March 1940. In 1939 he earned $360 ($6,840 in today’s dollars) and worked 30 weeks of the year. Joseph registered for the draft on July 17th, 1941.

Joseph enlisted in the United States Army on March 12th, 1942. Joseph served with the 28th Infantry Division in Europe during WWII. He received basic training from Camp Livingston, La., Camp Gordon Johnston, Fla., and Camp Pickett, Va.

Joseph collected 83 points in 22 months in the European Theater of Operations while serving with the 28th “Bloody Bucket” Infantry Division from Normandy to Central Germany. Joe got his first taste of action In the spectacular breakthrough at St Lo on July 30 1944 and battled with his division over Normandy to Paris and then to the Hurtgen Forest in Germany. On Dec 16th the 28th met the full force of Von- Runstedts Christmas offensive(Battle of the Bulge) and later helped to liberate Alsace. It took part in the final drive across the Rhine.

Joe was inducted in the service March 1942 and went overseas in October 1943. He returned home in August 1945 from twenty-five months’ service overseas. He was awarded the
(CIB) Combat infantryman’s Badge, for “oustanding leadership and ability”

After the war, Joe Rich was a partner with Rich Brothers Builders and Rich’s Beachcomber Restaurant in Rye. The restaurant was located on Cornell Place across from the then Oakland Avenue pool. He retired from the construction business In the late 1970’s. Joe Rich was a parishioner at the Church of the Resurrection in Rye. He also was a member of the Port Chester Oldtimers Association.

Joseph R. Rich, a lifelong Rye resident and brother of City Clerk Michael Rich, died September 23, 1983 at United Hospital after a short illness. He had lived on Overlook Place in Rye for more than 40 years. One of Mr. Rich’s sisters, Marie Mailing, pre-deceased him.

At the time of his death he was survived by one sister, Laura Martello, and two brothers, Samuel, and Michael, who was Rye City clerk. They all were lifelong Rye residents.

John Melfi
RHS 2021

Sources:
Draft Card
Social Security Death Index
1940 Census
1938 Rye High School Year Book
Enlistment Record
Fulton Newspapers
Obituary