Obituary of Richard H. Fine

Richard H. Fine, age 96 of Latham, NY died on February 25, 2013 at Albany Medical Center. Richard was a native of Canastota, NY. He was an active participant in high school sports, football, boxing, track & baseball, as well as being a professional musician. Mr. Fine was employed as a machinist at Watervliet Arsenal from November 1940 until November 1942, at which time he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in the European Theatre of Operations with the 840th. Engr. Bn., as well as playing with Special Services Dance Bands in England and France.. He was transferred to American School Center in Swindon, England, to help recruit and train musicians to play in the Army Marching Bands. He was then transferred to Hq. Ground Forces Reinf. Command where he became Personnel Sgt. Major of the G.F.R.C Hq. with the Adjutant General's Dept. in France. Returning to civilian life, Mr. Fine married the former Frances Levy, of Troy, who died in 1985. The couple had two children, a daughter, Ellen Straub of Cocoa, FL, and a son, Stephen Fine of Shokan, NY. Mr. Fine is also survived by his wife, Aileen Woolf Fine, and a niece, Karen B. Levy of Troy, NY. Mr. Fine was predeceased by a brother, William Fine. Mr. Fine was employed by the Prudential Insurance Company in the Troy area for ten years, and then transferred to Binghamton, NY as a sales manager with the company in 1957. While in Binghamton, he was active in Temple Israel, elected to the Board of Directors, he served one term as President of The Temple Israel Men's Club. He also played with Dance Bands in the Binghamton area, and was active in the Binghamton Life Underwriters Assn. Mr. Fine was transferred back to the Troy area by Prudential in 1965 and resumed his affiliation with the Troy Area Life Underwriter Assn., serving as President of the Assn. for two successive terms of office. He was appointed as a National Delegate from New York State to the National Conventions. Mr. Fine was a member of the Colonie Lodge of Elks, a past Chancellor of Troy City Lodge, Knights of Pythias, member of Canastota and Binghamton Masonic Lodges, Veterans of Foreign War, American Legion, Toastmasters International, and in 1986, he was voted a life membership in the Troy Area Life Underwriters Assn. by the Membership. Services as Congregation Agudat Achim, 2117 Union Street, Schenectady, NY on Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 1:00 PM. Interment to follow at the Agudat Achim Cemetery in Rotterdam. Those wishing to remember Mr. Fine in a special way may make a contribution to a charity of one's choice.