HERKIMER - Mr. Edward C. Riesel, age 73, an active community member of the Village of Herkimer and Decorated Vietnam Veteran (United States Army), passed away on Sunday evening, January 19, 2014, in Utica, NY. He was surrounded by loved ones. Ed was born on November 1, 1940 in Ilion, a son of the late Ernest and Florence (Lyon) Riesel. He attended Herkimer schools and graduated with the Herkimer High School Class of 1958. Ed entered the United States Army in 1963, and was a member of the 716th Military Police Battalion. He was honorably discharged in 1965. While in the Army, he became an expert in rifle and the 45 pistol. He served in Vietnam and received the Armed Forces Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal/Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon W/Device (1960)/Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross W/Palm Unit Citation Badge/ Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, and the First Class Unit Citation Badge/Navy Unit Citation. Ed was extremely close to his family and leaves his cherished sisters, Jane Riesel and Sharon Riesel-Oldfield; his aunts, Patricia Lyon Jones, Dorothy & James Griffith, Joyce Lyon Demchko; an uncle, Burton Werthman; his nephew, Brian Riesel and his wife, Brenda; his nieces, Cheryl Cristman and husband, Michael, and Mary Riesel Clark; and a sister in law Janet Riesel. Also surviving Ed are his great-nieces, twins Emily and Danielle and Jenna Riesel, Lance Corporal Joseph Riesel, US Marine, along with his goddaughter, Kurstin Gay. Katie Nichols and Donna Merryman were his 'other sisters', and Donald Lyon was his very special cousin (They were Ed's constant traveling partners throughout the years); "happy traveling, my friends". He was predeceased by his parents, a brother, Ernest G., a great-niece, Mariah Riesel, a brother in law, Ronald Oldfield along with several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Ed was the manager of Oyster Harbor's Club, Osterville, MA. During his time on Cape Cod, he became acquainted with many, many people, including former first lady, Jacquelyn Kennedy, Mrs. Robert F. Kennedy, Rep. Joseph Kennedy, III, Rep. Patrick Kennedy, former Speaker of the House Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill, former presidential advisor Lawrence F. O'Brian, former first lady, Lady Bird Johnson, Joseph Cronin, former president of the American League of Baseball Association., Carl Yastrzemski of the Boston Red Sox, Gene Autry, actress Lee Remick, first and former director of the Peace Corps Sargent Shriver and his wife Eunice, their daughter, Maria Shriver, Mr. And Mrs. Bob Hope, General James M. Gavin, Commander of the 82nd Airborne Division at the Invasion of Normandy, former Secretary of the Treasury, C. Douglas Dillon, former Secretary of Commerce, John T. Connor, Paul Mellon of Mellon Banks, Felix Dupont of Dupont Industries, William Koch, former winner of America's Cup in 1992, and Senator Hillary Rodham-Clinton. Ed also met Richard Burton, Roddy McDowell, Robert Goulet, Joe Paterno, John Havlicek, Donna Reed, Oprah Winfrey, Art Buchwald, Arnold Schwarzenegger, John O'Neil, former co-owner of the Miami Dolphins, William and Mary Sullivan, former owners of the New England Patriots, and sports announcer, Howard Cosell, and Bob Villa, along with Ann Thompson of NBC News, Former Ambassador to Barbados, James Daley, Olympic Gold Medal Skater, Tenley Albright, and pianist, Peter Dudchin. Ed's spare time on Cape Cod was spent playing golf, riding on his small yacht, and going to the best restaurants. He traveled to Florida for a month each winter and had many friends there. Cruising to Nova Scotia was always a great fall vacation for Ed. Ed was a communicant of the Church of Sts. Anthony & Joseph, Herkimer. He was a member of the VFW No. 4915, Vietnam Vets Chapter 827, serving as vice-president for many years. He was a life member of the DAV, Chapter 162, the American Legion Post No. 38, Polish Community Home, Herkimer, serving on the Board of Directors, Tony R. George Post No. 6. He was a "Friends of Historical Herkimer County" Board Member, and was instrumental in saving the 1884 Jail. He was also on the Board of Directors of the Hyannis Elks No. 1549, and the Elk's National Foundation. He was a member of the Herkimer County Democratic Committee. Ed was selected and honored as the Grand Marshall of the 2013 Memorial Day Parade by the Veterans Council. Calling hours at The Enea Family Funeral Home, 220 North Washington Street, Herkimer, NY will be held on Wednesday January 22nd from 2 - 4 & 7-9 PM. The members of the Michael S. Pliseck VFW Post #4915 will gather at 7:00 PM at the funeral home for services. The Vietnam Veteran's Chapter #827 will also gather on Wednesday evening. Contributions in Ed's memory may be made to the Kelberman Autism Center, 1601 Armory Drive, Utica, NY 13501 or to the Make - A - Wish Foundation, 5005 Campuswood Drive, East Syracuse, NY 13057. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. The family is so very grateful to the loving staff of Central New York Cardiology and Dr. Michael W. Kelberman for their professionalism. Funeral services will be held on Thursday January 23, 2014 at 12:30 PM from The Enea Family Funeral Home, 220 North Washington Street, Herkimer, where prayer will be offered. We will proceed to the Church of Sts. Anthony & Joseph, South Main Street, Herkimer, where at 1:00 PM his Funeral Mass will be celebrated. A spring 2014 interment will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery, Herkimer with full military honors. Anyone wishing to share a memory of Ed, or add to his online memorial, may go to: www.eneafamily.com. In an effort to ease the burden of his passing upon his family, Ed took great pride in carefully pre arranging his funeral services over time with his dear friends, Harry & Kevin Enea.