Richard Edward Schreiber

Richard Edward Schreiber, 70, of Orlando, Florida, passed away Thursday, June 20th, 2013 at Osceola Regional Medical Center. Richard was born in Elmont, New York on January 30, 1943, the son of the late John and Josephine Schreiber. He served in the U.S. Army. Richard is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Janet I. (Kleess) Schreiber; a daughter, Pamela C.Kelly and husband Eugene of Saint Cloud, FL; a son, Peter J. Schreiber of Orlando; 2 grandchildren: Jordan and Jessica Kelly; two brothers: Thomas Schreiber of St. James, NY; and John Schreiber and wife Barbran of Duxbury, MA. Richard is preceded in death by son, Paul Richard Schreiber and grandson, Ryan James Kelly. The family will receive friends on Friday, June 28th from 5-9 PM and Saturday, June 29th from 2:00 PM at Osceola Memory Gardens Funeral Home, Kissimmee. Interment to follow at Osceola Memory Gardens Cemetery, Kissimmee. Arrangements under the direction of Osceola Memory Gardens Funeral Home, 1717 Old Boggy Creek Road, Kissimmee, FL 34744 (407) 847-2494 www.osceolamemgds.com Richie was the middle child of three boys growing up in Elmont, N.Y. He had a typical childhood of the 40's and 50's when there were still construction sites and farms in the area. He especially liked sampling the wares of the local farmer on his was home from school as he cut through the farm. A favorite past time was helping a neighbor race pigeons. Through school he worked at a local candy store. That's where he learned to make a mean sundae and ice cream soda, which he loved. While attending Sewanhaka High School he worked at Belmont Race Track. Richie was a proud and active member of Elmont Fire Department. After graduating high school he joined the Army. He became a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. While serving in Panama he started writing to a nursing student. They corresponded for a year before they met. He always signed his letters "Till Then". It was their wedding song when Janet and Richie married on Sept. 11, 1966. Once married they lived in Floral Park, North Massapequa and for 29 years in West Islip, N.Y. Pam, Peter, and Paul were soon added - no Mary. Living on Long Island he enjoyed wood working, fishing and trips to Atlantic City. Richie loved hosting parties and cooking too. Being near Captree Boat Basin and Jones Beach, he spent many days there teaching the kids how to fish and go crabbing. He spent time as an assistant coach for Pam's softball team. Once retired from the N.Y.C. Transit Authority, he relocated to Florida. Fourteen years ago he settled in Hunter's Creek. There he found wonderful neighbors and a pond behind the house. It was great being able to teach his granddaughters Jordan and Jessica how to fish right in his backyard. He enjoyed travelling to different areas of Florida. Always near the gulf or ocean and bringing his granddaughters along. A friend once described him as a "diamond in the rough". I guess that about sums it up!

Richard Edward Schreiber

January 30, 1943 - June 20, 2013