Ethel Constance Rieger

August 3, 1930 -

August 17, 2008

Ethel Constance Rieger died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, August 17, 2008, after a short illness. She is survived by her husband of fifty two years, Richard Rieger, and seven children and their spouses: Susan Rieger Kill and her husband Luke, of Marietta, GA, Bonnie Rieger Giordano and her husband Vincent, of Armonk, NY, James Richard Rieger and his wife Kathleen, of Garden City, Mincael Paul Rieger and his wife Anne, of Atlanta, GA, Anne Constance Cornetta and her husband Chris, of Lloyd Harbor, NY, John Andrew Rieger and his wife Mary, of Garden City, and Martha Elizabeth Cooper and her husband Brad, of Stamford, CT. She was the proud grandmother of twenty four grandchildren.

The daughter of Clara and David Fordsman, Ethel was born and raised in Rockville Centre, NY, the second of five siblings. She is survived by two sisters, Wilma Robinson of Palm Beach, FL and Joyce Harter, who lives with her husband, Larry in Pine Hurst, NC, and by her sister-in-law, Carol Fordsman of Rockville Centre. She is also survived by twelve nieces and nephews.

Ethel graduated from Adelphi University School of Nursing in 1953 and joined the nursing staff of the Emergency Room at Meadowbrook Hospital (now Nassau University Hospital Medical Center). Following her marriage to Richard in 1955, the couple lived in Levittown, NY until Richard completed his Pediatric Residency. They moved to Garden City in June of 1957 where they raised their family of seven children.

In addition to being a wife, mother and grandmother, Ethel had many avocations. She was a talented pianist with a repertoire ranging from Classical music to show tunes to pop rock. She was also a gifted seamstress who designed and created fashions and textiles for her family and home. Ethel was a member of the Cherry Valley Club where she played bridge, tennis and golf. She was also active in several other bridge and book clubs over the years. Ethel always enjoyed her summers in Saltaire on Fire Island, where she and Richard were members of the Saltaire Yacht Club.

The Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated by the Reverend Richard Viladesau on Thursday, August 21, 2008 at Saint Joseph's Church. She was interred with other members of the family in Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ethel's memory may be sent to Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 210 Pilot Walk, Saltaire, NY 11706 or the American Cancer Society.

Richard D. Zinke

Richard D. Zinke, a resident of Garden City for over 50 years, died on August 18 h 0008 at Christa House in West Babylon, NY after a long illness. He was retired from Metropolitan Life Insurance Company where he was Manager and Director of the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance section. He served as a Vestryman and Eucharistic Minister at the Cathedral of the Incarnation and was President of Paves from 1978 to 1981. He was always active in Little League and the Swim Association as his sons grew up.

Born on July 18, 1918 in Brooklyn, NY, "Dick" as he liked to be called served in the United States Coast Guard from April 1942 until March 1946.

Mr. Zinke is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jean, and their four sons Richard Jr. of Doylestown, PA, Jon (Ellen) residing in Hong Kong, Jeffrey (Patricia) of N. Massapequa, NY and Todd (Barbara) of Duluth GA as well as four grandchildren, Jeffrey, Daniel, Katie and Michael.

A memorial service was held at The Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City on August 20 th. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations in Richard name may be made to The Cathedral of Incarnation Restoration Fund, 50 Cathedral Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530 or to Christa House, 720 Albin Avenue, West Babylon, NY 11704.