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Richard SIVEL Obituary
SIVEL, Richard Franklin Jr.
Richard Franklin Sivel, Jr. left this world on the night of Sunday December 18th to explore his final frontier. His unexpected passing was caused by cardiac arrest around 10 p.m. Rich is remembered in many ways: as an endlessly loving father, son, brother, partner and most recently grandfather. For friends and loved ones, the word "no" was not in his vocabulary: he was always prepared to lend a hand, a sympathetic ear, or to make others feel welcome in his home. He was our tireless researcher and information junkie. No interest of a friend, family member or acquaintance ever went unexplored; he connected with others through his intellectual curiosity. His family especially remembers his gracious generosity and felt that he was taking care of us, right up to his last days. Friends and colleagues will also remember Rich as a passionate and fiercely political man. He was a peaceful warrior who never stopped working for justice and a fair chance for everyone. He applied his talents as a natural organizer, social networker, and technologist to his work with Connecticut Citizen Action Group, West Hartford Citizens for Peace and Justice, the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), and others. In recent years he was proud to use the skills and experience learned from years in business in the service of Connecticut's working families in his position as Online Mobilization Coordinator at the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 4 in New Britain. In his last years he sought a greater understanding of himself and his family history through intensive genealogy research. He is survived by his mother Doris Sivel; siblings Gwen Sivel, Roberta Kim, and Jim Sivel; his children Kathryn and Jonathan Sivel; niece and nephew Sarah and Thomas Kim; and granddaughter Frances Esperanza Vasquez Sivel. He is also missed by his partner Eleni Rodis and his dear friend and mother of his children Palma Vaccaro. We will miss Rich dearly; our world will never be the same without him.
Memorial service will be held at Hartford Monthly Meeting of Friends at 144 South Quaker Lane in West Hartford on Thursday December 29th at 4 p.m. Donations can be made to either the Peace Valley Nature Center at 170 Chapman Rd. Doylestown, PA 18901; or to Connecticut Citizen Action Group at 30 Arbor St 6N Hartford, CT 06106. "May God bless and keep you always." - Bob Dylan, "Forever Young"
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard SIVEL
Ellen Slack
January 3, 2012
Dear Doris, Eleni, all of the family, and Rich's colleagues:
There are feelings of shock and great sadness at losing someone I counted as a friend, who was the son of my dear friend Doris and brother of former classmate Gwen. But there is also a great sense of loss in another sphere, that of the labor movement and the ongoing struggle for peace and social justice. It was very gratifying to discover in recent years that the boy I remembered from elementary school had become a man who used his intelligence and talents to work toward a better world for all of us. In the labor movement we address one another as Brothers and Sisters. As an AFSCME member (Local 590, DC 47, Philadelphia), and in a small way activist for labor and other causes, I mourn the loss of a Brother.
Condolences also from my husband, Juan Linares.
January 2, 2012
Blessings to all, Rich included of course, and he travels on. I'm so sorry to have missed the Memorial, but didn't know about it until after the event. Wishing Rich endless time to explore, celebrate and carry on into other worlds. This world is better for his presence.
Much Love from Amy Hathaway, Keene, NH
December 27, 2011
Mrs Sivel,and family--I have been trying to find the right words of sympathy,and realize,there are no "right" words--just the truth--that this is such a tragedy,and that Rich was a WONDERFUL human being.When we all met for lunch in Nov,it was quite special to me.I was looking forward to seeing Rich again in Dec,as we had planned.
What an amazing man--which speaks to what wonderful parents/family he has.
I wish I could come to Conn ,on Thur,to honor him.You are all in my thoughts and prayers.Cindy Hill Kelly -CRHS Class of 1970
Bev Brakeman
December 27, 2011
Rich was a man whose every thought, word and action was about justice and peace. He was stalwart in his convictions and committed to his worldview. The world has lost a gem. Rest in peace Rich.
Kathy Jackson, AFSCME Council 4
December 27, 2011
My last conversation with Rich and another co-worker was at Council 4 on Friday, December 16, 2011. Always in work mode, the conversation was about building a coalition to help get out the vote in the minority community. I was totally shocked to hear of his passing and still stunned as I write this. I will always remember Rich as 'My Forever Yes Man' - because no matter when I asked, he always said yes. I will truly miss you! With Blessings, Peace, Love, Admiration and much Appreciation,
Fletcher Fischer
December 25, 2011
Peaceful rebel, good man, great human....peace Rich.
Dan Durso
December 24, 2011
I'll remember Rich as a person who always spoke of the positive though he was aware of the negative. He had a "glass is half full" outlook and was a true champion for peace and justice. I'll miss him as a companero but he will continue to be an inspiration to me. My sincerest sympathies to his family.
Helen Raisz
December 24, 2011
How appropriate for us to remember Rich at the Friedns Meeting House. How many Monday nights over the years did he lend his smile and his compassionate wisdom to those gatherings of CT Citizens for Peace and Justice? His presence will always linger there, and be marching beside us as we try to manage without his energy and thoughtfulness.
Meredith Schwartz
December 24, 2011
When I heard the news of Rich's passing it had a physical impact. Rich and I "share DNA" through the Coe family, but I learned of this just a few years ago so we were "official" cousins for a short time. He was the impetus for my own genealogical pursuits, and he provided great support for me in this endeavor. He was a blessing to me when my mother died this past March. Doris, my love to you. Meredith
Joella Bouchard Mudry
December 23, 2011
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Rich. He was a true friend and was so passionate about the work he was doing. Alsways willing to give a helping hand and always willing to train. I will miss you my friend.............healthcare4every1 organizer
Pamela Smith
December 23, 2011
Dear family, Rich was the unbeatable combination of brilliant, reliable and compassionate. A smart friend and a true advocate, one who lends his voice FOR something important. Our elections community can scarcely afford such a loss; I hope that the knowledge he touched so many lives in such positive ways will ease your own loss just a little bit. Our thoughts are with you.
Luther Weeks
December 23, 2011
Director of TrueVoteCT - Unstoppable Activist - Friend
Will be greatly missed as a friend.
Rich was instrumental in the Voter Verified Paper Record law and selection of Op Scan in Connecticut, , a post-election audit observer for the Coalition. The Obituary is really wonderful without being overblown. I had lunch with him earlier this year: Everything great!
December 23, 2011
To Rich's family and friends, my deepest condolences. Rich was a person of great conviction and action. I knew him through the local peace and justice community and was so pleased to have opportunity to speak with him recently about his family and new grandchild, whom he adored. This sudden loss is shocking to us all; Rich will be profoundly missed. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you & in his memory -JoAnne Bauer, Hartford
Julia and Josh Rosenblatt/Blanchfield
December 23, 2011
The last time we saw Rich was at the Bring The War Dollars Home rally. He marveled at our children and beamed as he told us of his new granddaughter. He said, "its the next generation of activists!" His passing is not fair. It was too soon. But we will always remember that last conversation with a smile. We will miss him.
The Muleadys
December 23, 2011
We are so sorry to hear of Rich's passing. He was taken much too soon. Our hearts are with you, Doris, Katie, Jonathan, Bobbie, Jim, Gwen and the rest of the family. We have fond memories of him in our visits to you. Our love and condolences to you all.
Herb and Pam Perkins-Frederick
December 22, 2011
Dear Doris, Rich's life was a loving voice for peace in the world, worthy and important. We remember meeting with Rich at a candlelit vegetarian restaurant in Connecticut. It seemed like something we could repeat at any time.
Bob Slate
December 22, 2011
Whenever I attended a political event - for peace, for health care, for workers, for justice - and saw Rich, then I knew that I was in the right place.
Goodbye, friend.
Bob Slate, West Hartford
Jamie D'Amico
December 22, 2011
You will be missed. Rest in peace.
George Barnett
December 22, 2011
I was very sadened to hear about Rich's passing. I knew Rich through True Vote CT and feel very fortunate to have spent time with him in this group. Rich was a truly kind man who fought hard for peace and justice. My sincere condolonces to Rich's family and friends. He will be missed in a big way by many.
December 22, 2011
Doris, Jim, Bobbie, Gwen, Jonathan, Kate Sivel and others in PA and CT - You are all on my mind since hearing about your beloved Rich. Each of you were so deeply loved by him and whatever the distance between you, that strong Sivel family bond kept you close to eachother. I am fortunate to have experienced Rich's passion for you, his family, apart from his passion for political and community activism. I was inspired by his commitment, dedication, and unwavering sense of justice for all that drove him to do and be good: by his family, his friends, his community. A loss too great to fathom this soon...I send you all my love and heartfelt sympathy.
Linda Lee
December 22, 2011
Such sad news to report. Cousin Rich Sivel, founder and chief author of the Brandt/Essmann Facebook Group passed away suddenly this past Saturday of a heart attack. I got to know him through ancestry.com which he and I each enjoyed working on. Thanks to him our German cousins were contacted and we have made that connection. He and I spent one long afternoon (about 4 hours) pouring over a box of ol...d pictures and mementos handed down from Louisa and Nicholas Brandt, my grandparents, his great grandparents. Richard very recently became a grandparent himself, a very joyful event in his life. He was a thoughtful son and brother, and very smart. He had the German knack for organization, having printed and secured in a notebook of every picture and story I sent him.I miss him.
December 22, 2011
Rich embodied all the best in the human spirit. He was a friend, a teacher, a mentor and one of the kindest people I have known. He was an ardent supporter for peace and justice... and he will truly be missed.
--Win Heimer, West Hartford, CT
Maria Agramonte-Gomez
December 22, 2011
I only worked with you for a short while but the impact of your leadership and passion for justice has and will remain with me always...I feel blessed that our path's crossed...
Ann Levie
December 22, 2011
I'm so sorry for all our loss. Although I did not know Richard well, his vibe as a good man, a social activist and a fun and loving partner was all over him. Eleni, I can't tell you how sorry I am for your loss. Your love and respect for each other was evident every time I saw you together. The world has lost an amazing man.
Norma (Brush) Shafer
December 22, 2011
Hello Sivel Family & Friends,
My name is Norma (Brush) Shafer and though I did not know Rich very well, I do remember him from High School days. I remember his smile and his long lanky walk in the High School corridor going from class to class. Death seems so final to us that are still here, but I'm sure he brought all of you so many wonderful memories, so cherish them all and as long as you do he is never far from your thoughts or heart. May you all find comfort and peace at this time and my sypathy is with you all.
With warm regards, Norma Lee (Brush) Shafer
Council Rock - Class of 1970
Bill Rees
December 22, 2011
I have know Rich (Sich as we used to call him) since the first grade at Wycombe Elementary School. Rich was one of the founders of the mysterious PAS club (Pennsylvania Astronomical Society) that was borne on shooting model rockets into the sky. He entertained us with his magic shows and with his father, were mainstays of our Boy Scout Troop in Penns Park. Rich was always curious and had a brilliant mind. In the last few years we reconnected (most recently at the Pineville) and were to meet over the holidays. It will never be. He will be greatly missed. Bill Rees
Michelle Noehren
December 22, 2011
Rich you were truly an amazing human being. You were always there for everyone in your life and were always willing and happy to lend a helping hand. Thank you for touching my life in such a positive way.
With love
Jain Hayles
December 22, 2011
I only met Rich a few times, but it was immediately apparent he was a very gentle, kind, compassionate, and inherently decent human being. He is gone too soon. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. May you all find comfort and peace.
Cheryl Daniels
December 22, 2011
Rich was a good man and a great dad. He loved his family deeply. He has left this world a better place by his deeds and actions. He did the best he could and you cannot ask for more than that. His loss is shared by many. In time the pain will be replaced with happy thoughts of his time with us. That is the way he would want it.
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