Van Ritshie

Posted

The Family of Van Ritshie is sad to announce that The Voice of the Hudson Valley has passed on to be with Jesus after a brief illness surrounded by family. Van was in the radio/voice over business for 50 plus years. He received a congressional Medal of honor for doing such.

Van as we all know was always ready to help anyone who needed him and mentored up coming disc jockey's and did singing lessons for many.

Many of us grew up to listening to the great voice especially when it came to school closings. Van dj'd and sang for many weddings and various celebrations as well as Plum's Lounge.

He did many charity events to raise monies for different causes, always giving back to the community. Van also was the voice of LIRR, MTA, Disney ride Earthquake, and many other commercials that were and still heard over the radio and television sound waves.

Van was born in Astoria, NY To his loving parents Henry and Jean Ritshie who pre deceased him.

Van was an avid golfer and skier. He taught his grandson Austin Wieserner to golf and then the dynamic duo would golf together as much as possible over the years.

He hosted many of ski trips through the radio station to various ski resorts. Van would announce birthdays on the radio to make that person feel extra special on their day. Hey if you see so and so tell them Van Ritshie said happy birthday and have a great day, he would say or to make someone's day he would say Hey if you see so and so tell them Van Ritshie said have a great day!

Van has a younger brother Kurt Ritshie (Laurie) whom he had many fun and wild times with and they enjoyed many fabulous memories together. As brothers they had a wonderful bond like none other.

A loving husband to Barbara M. Ritshie for 44 years together they share children Cathy Hull (Darrell), Lynette Waterfield (Bob), Scott Ritshie (Jill). They also have grandchildren Renee Cole (Bryan), Amanda Hull (Gary), Austin Wieserner (Claire), and Conner Wieserner (Rebecca). Great grandchildren Dominique Hull-Quilantan, Evan Cole, Calvin Quilantan, and Caeden Zinney. He also has a fur baby named Sophie and Mr. Vino who predeceased him, grand dogs Lucy Canoli Waterfield, Daisy Napoleon Waterfield, great grand dog Yahtzee Wieserner, and fur nephew Hank Ritshie.

The family would like to thank Vassar Brothers Hospital and the Hospice staff for their support and care for Van. It was superb. For all those who donated to the go fund me and the donations to Indian Ridge the family would like Thank Ricky and Lenny Auchmoody and Krista Jones for organizing such. Special thank you to Bobby Duncan for all your visits and encouragement for Van and the family. Thank you to the many visitors for showing your love especially Denise Cooper and Susan Levesque.

Thank you to John Beck, Torsone Funeral Home.

At this time the services will be a celebration of life to be announced at a later date.

Arrangements by the Michael Torsone Memorial Funeral Home, Inc. 38 Main St. Highland, NY 12528.

To send the family an online condolence, please visit our website at www.torsonememorial.com