Obituary of Michele Rea

Michele "Mike" Rea, 80, of Ferguson St., died Tuesday, October 12, 2010, at Ellis Hospital, after a short illness. Born in Schenectady the son of Eluterio and Elviria Rea, he was a 1949 graduate of Mont Pleasant High School and had attended Union College. Mike joined the Air National Guard in 1949 as a supply man. In 1952 he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and faithfully served in the Korean War as a marine with the Special Forces branch in the Machine Gun Company. He was honored with the National Defense Medal, Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal, serving as a Green Beret, honorably discharged as a platoon sergeant. In 1961 he joined the National Guard Reserves, where he attended Airborne School, Jumpmaster School and various demolitions schools. He later joined the Navy Reserves and retired from the service in 1986. Mike was a lifetime member of the Rotterdam VFW. Mike was employed with the NYS Department of OGS as a stationary engineer, retiring in 1994 with 27 years served. He had been a shop stewart for CSEA for many years. Mike had been a former member of the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church and Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church. He was dedicated to physical fitness and won many handball tournaments as a member of the Schenectady YMCA for over 60 years. He was an avid New York Yankee and Giants fan and had been a baseball and softball empire for local leagues. He also had served as a Democratic Committeeman in Rotterdam. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Carol Smith Rea and his children, Kim (Terri) Rea of Duanesburg, Karyn (Paul) Armour of Minaville and Mark (Andrea) Rea of Rotterdam; one sister, Angi (Carl) Ehlers of San Jose, CA; seven grandchildren, whom he leaves a part of him in each of them: Nicholas his sense of compassion, Bret his sense of humor, Elisabeth "Libby" his sense of adventure, Kacie his great work ethic, Evan his love of outdoors, Justin his laid back attitude and Joshua his love of sports; and several nieces and nephews. Mike was predeceased by a granddaughter, Dana Nicole Rea, several brothers and a sister. Funeral service Saturday morning 9 o'clock at the Daly Funeral Home, Inc., 242 McClellan St., Schenectady. Calling hours Friday evening 5 to 8 at the funeral home. Interment will be in Memory Gardens, Colonie with military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to the YMCA (for the Reach Out for Youths Program), 433 State St., Schenectady, NY 12305 Att: Rose Meyers. Online condolences may be expressed at www.dalyfuneralhome.com.