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Philip John Rieth Sr., 86, Formerly of Old Saybrook

Philip John Rieth Sr., 86, formerly of Old Saybrook, died peacefully on April 23 at the Groton Regency Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, with Marie (Wagner) Rieth, his loving wife of 61 years, by his side. Phil was born in New York City, New York, son of the late Philip Anthony and Mabel Frances Rieth. He grew up in The Bronx and enjoyed many fishing and camping trips with his father in upstate New York. Phil graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School in 1942 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943. He achieved the rank of chief petty officer and served aboard a destroyer escort in Europe.

Following World War II, Phil attended Fordham University. He worked as an insurance adjuster for several years and later was employed by the Frieden Company as a service technician. Frieden changed hands several times over the years, but Phil remained with the company until his retirement in 1991 from Northrop Grumman Corporation. In 1956, he moved his family from The Bronx to Old Saybrook, where he and Marie raised their family and lived until early 2011.

A devoted husband, father, and grandfather who enjoyed many years of retirement, Phil was also a regular visitor to the Estuary Regional Senior Center in Old Saybrook until recent years, and often helped out by collecting food for the Center.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his beloved children, Marie Louise Mercer and her husband Stephen of East Lyme, Steven Francis Rieth of Old Saybrook, Philip John Rieth, Jr. and his wife Judy Kiely of Meriden, and four grandchildren, Angela and Patricia Mercer, and Philip and Noel Rieth.

His family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 25, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Swan Funeral Home, 1224 Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook.  A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 26, at St. John’s Catholic Church, 161 Main St., Old Saybrook, followed by burial in Riverside Cemetery, Old Saybrook. In lieu of flowers, Phil’s family asks that donations be made in his memory to a charity of one’s choice. To leave an online tribute or condolence, please visit www.swanfuneralhomeoldsaybrook.com.