Obituary of Charles W. Rice

MANHEIM Charles W. Rice, 85 of State Route 167, Town of Manheim passed away Wednesday evening March 7, 2012 at his residence. He was born on April 15, 1926 in the Town of Danube the son of the late George and Ida (Tinkler) Rice. He attended Danube Rural Schools and was a graduate of Little Falls High School class of 1943. Mr. Rice was a veteran of World War II serving with the US Navy. Entering the service on December 14, 1944 in Albany, NY. He served as an Aviation Electronic Technician and was honorably discharged on July 18, 1946 at Lido Beach, LI, NY. He was united in marriage to his wife of 63 years the former Patricia M. Silvernail on June 26, 1948 at the First Baptist Church, Little Falls. He was a member of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Little Falls where he served as a member of the church council for many years. Mr. Rice was employed in the construction field for most of his career. He began as an apprentice carpenter working for local contractor John Mia and later for the Marian Baker Const., Co., Mohawk, the Louis Cassella Const. Co., Herkimer and last as the Construction Superintendent for the Charles Gaetano Const., Co., Utica, constructing the bell tower at the Russian Monastery in Jordanville. An accomplished carpenter and woodworker Mr. Rice was known for his many carpenter projects for various churches and private homes, intricate wooden puzzles and toys and especially "Dulcimers" a musical instruments which he made from scratch from rough sawn lumber. He is survived by his wife Patricia, his two sons James C. Rice and daughter in law Helen, Honeoye Falls, NY and Jon R. Rice, Ft. Pierce, FL, brother Carleton (Bud) Rice, Ft. Plain, sisters Catherine Schultz, Pompei, NY and Karen Rice, New York City and sister in law Jean Rice, Little Falls, 3 grandchildren Mary Beth King (John), Michael Rice and Jonathan Rice. He was predeceased by an infant daughter Mary Rice in 1954 and by his brothers Gerald A. Rice in 2004 and Stanley E. Rice in 2007. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 12, 2012 at 10:00 am from the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 512 E. Gansevoort Street, Little Falls with the Rev. Joseph Famulare, Pastor officiating. Interment will take place in Rural Park Cemetery, Inghams Mills later in the spring. Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects at the Chapman-Moser Funeral Home, Inc., 42 N. Ann Street, Little Falls on Sunday, March 11, 2012 from 2-5 pm and to attend the funeral services Monday morning. It is the wish of the family that contributions in memory of Mr. Rice be considered to the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 512 E. Gansevoort St., Little Falls, NY 13365. Envelopes are also available at the funeral home for this purpose.