Obituary of Leon Rivchin

LEON RIVCHIN 1922- 2009 Boca Raton, Fl. Leon Rivchin, formerly of Loudonville, NY and Longmeadow, Ma., died on January 25 after a brief illness. Leon was born in Slavuta, in the Ukraine province of Russia, on June 5, 1922, to Dinah and Charles Rivchin, and immigrated to the United States when he was 5 years old. He was predeceased by his beloved brother, Melvin Rivchin and his beloved sister, Dorothy Retchin, and is survived by his dear sister, Evelyn Bennett, of Springfield, Ma. Leon had an engaging personality and a quick wit. His priorities were family, friends, and sports, golf being his love and the bane of his existence. Leon was married for 43 years to his childhood sweetheart, Clare (Berkwitts), who passed away in 1987. He is survived by their 2 sons Neil (Pam) of Loudonville, NY and Stu (Kay) of Guilderland, NY and his granddaughters, Suzanne, Beth, and Julie, whom he loved dearly and of whom he was so very proud. Leon treasured the love and support that Pam and Kay gave him, especially, throughout his illness. Following Clare's passing, Leon married Irene Balk of Chestnut Hill, Ma. and Palm Beach, Fl. They shared 10 wonderful years together until her sudden death in 2000. Leon enjoyed and appreciated the love he received from Irene's children, Hilary Glovsky of Boston, Ma. and Ron Balk of Natick, Ma., and especially delighted in the loving bond that he formed with his newly acquired grandchildren, Scott and Jordan, and Carolyn and Adrienne. Following Irene's passing, Leon was introduced to Ruth Gordon of New Seabury, Ma. and Boca Raton, Fl. Ruth and Leon became devoted partners, and for the past 7 years shared a wonderful, loving life together. The family greatly appreciates the love, companionship, and support that Ruth gave Leon through those years and, especially, throughout his illness. Leon graduated from Classical High School in Springfield, and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp where he received an Honorable Discharge in 1944 as a 2nd Lieutenant. He, then, began a lifelong career in the retail furniture business in Springfield and Worcester, Ma., and in 1962 relocated to Albany, NY where be became a part owner and General Manager of The House of Montague Furniture Co. He valued the warm friendship and support of the partners, Irving Gewirtzman and Bernie Gefen and their respective families, and, especially, enjoyed the relationships he formed with employees and customers of that business. Leon was a former member of Albany City Lodge # 540 Knights of Pythias, the Albany Kiwanis Club, Temple Beth El in Springfield, Massachusetts and Congregation Beth Emeth in Albany The family, also, wishes to sincerely thank the doctors and medical staff at the Delray Medical Center, ManorCare Health Service, and Hospice of Palm Beach County, especially Drs. Polanco, Ziffer, and Sadowsky, for the skilled and compassionate care they gave Leon during his illness. A private service for the family will be held at the Levine Memorial Chapel 649 Washington Avenue in Albany. Anyone wishing to remember Leon may do so by making a contribution to the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association, or the charity of your choice.