Alex Nicholas Diachishin

Plattekill, NY

Alex Nicholas Diachishin, longtime resident of Plattekill, NY, died peacefully at Elant Nursing Home, Goshen, NY on June 26, 2008. A Civil and Sanitary Engineer, Alex founded and was chief Operating Officer of A. Diachishin and Associates in Napanoch, NY.

Son of Nicholas and Sophia Diachishin, he was born June 9, 1920 in the Bronx, NYC. A graduate of the City College of New York, Alex served as an Army weatherman in the South Pacific during World War II. Upon discharge, he attended New York University School of Engineering. After receiving his Master's degree, Alex was employed by Brown Engineers of New York City, assigned to sanitary projects in the Caribbean and Vietnam. Moving his family to Napanoch in the late sixties, Alex founded his own engineering and survey firm specializing in water and sewer projects. He also served as town Engineer in several Orange and Ulster communities. Alex took great pride in the sanitary plants he designed, and the contribution they played in cleaning the Hudson River Estuaries.

Alex was a hard worker who designed and built two houses for his family to live in. He was an environmentalist decades ahead of his time; the last house he built in 1973 was "green" with the use of solar energy. Alex loved the woods surrounding his property and spent many hours taking his dogs for long walks in the woods. He was a voracious reader and avid book collector. Alex was a eloquent quick-witted conversationalist who thoroughly enjoyed public speaking. He was a world traveler who particularly enjoyed spending summers vacationing on Star Island, on the rocky, wind-swept Isles of Shoals off the coast of New Hampshire. Alex believed in the inherent worth and dignity of every person and fought for justice and civil rights for all.

Alex was a devoted husband, compassionate father and a friend to many. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Marjorie Helen Krause and his adored sister, Julia Diachishin. Survivors include his two daughters, Christine Gordon of Fairport, NY, Diane Diachishin and her husband, Richard Tenewitz of Washingtonville, NY; three grandchildren: David Gordon, Anastassia and Sergey Tenewitz; nephews, Jonathan, Leanne and Robert Krause, plus Renee Driver and her daughters, Geishla and Susan Driver.

Visitation will be Saturday, June 28 from 4-7 p.m. at the White & Venuto Funeral Home, 188 N. Plank Rd., Newburgh, NY. For directions call 845-562-6550.

Cremation will talk place Monday, June 30 at Cedar Hill Crematory.

After Alex's wife passed, he spent most Sundays with new friends he made at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Rock Tavern, NY. In a horrific fire the church building was destroyed. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the new UUCRT Building Fund, PO Box 502, Washingtonville, NY 10992-0502.

A Memorial Service to honor the life of Alex will be announced at the later date.

Funeral arrangements under the direction of White & Venuto Funeral Home.