FISHKILL – Henry Louis Raiche, Jr., a lifelong resident of Dutchess County, passed away on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie following a 16-year battle with A.L.S. He was 89.

Son of the late Henry L. and Dorothy (Battaglia) Raiche, he was born in White Plains on July 6, 1933 and was raised in Fishkill. After graduating from Wappingers High School, Henry earned a bachelor's degree from St. Bonaventure University and later received a master's degree in Education from SUNY New Paltz along with a certificate of advanced achievement.

In 1955, after graduating and completing the ROTC program at St. Bonaventure, Henry entered active duty as a Second Lieutenant as a member of the U.S. Army. He served in the Army Air Defense Command as a battery commander for Nike Ajax surface to air missiles until 1958, when he was honorably discharged as First Lieutenant. He continued his military service as a Reservist until 1962. In October 1962 he was activated during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Henry dedicated his career to education and worked for the Wappingers Central School District for 30 years. He began as a 6th Grade Teacher at Fishkill Elementary School. In 1965 he was part of the team that opened a new school in Hopewell Junction. He then began his administrative career as Assistant Principal at Gayhead Elementary School. He went on to become Principal at James S. Evans Elementary School in Wappingers Falls and retired in 1990 as Principal of Oak Grove Elementary School in Poughkeepsie.

A parishioner of St. Mary, Mother of the Church in Fishkill, Henry was a 4th Degree Charter Member of the Knights of Columbus St. Mary's Council #4065. He first became a Knight on June 21, 1955. Henry was also a member of the Italian Center for 37 years.

On January 4, 1958, he married Elena Rosemarie Bontempelli at St. Mary, Mother of the Church in Fishkill. Elena predeceased Henry on May 21, 1996.
Survivors include his son, Raymond P. Raiche & his wife Tara of Fishkill; his grandchildren, Raymond P. Raiche, Jr., Olivia R. Raiche, and Vivienne R. Raiche; and other relatives & friends.

In addition to his wife and parents, Henry was also predeceased by two sons: Richard A. Raiche in 1990 and Louis A. Raiche in 2010.

Calling hours will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. on Monday, January 16 at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 17 at St. Mary, Mother of the Church, 106 Jackson Street, Fishkill, NY. Entombment will follow in the Community Mausoleum at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery, 342 South Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Paralyzed Veterans of America, National Processing Center, P.O. Box 758542, Topeka, KS 66675-8542 (www.pva.org).

For online tributes, you can visit Henry's Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.