Joseph Rheal

FITCHBURG, WIS/ALBANY, NY- Joseph Rheal, age 90, died on Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, from Alzheimer's disease at the Sylvan Crossing Memory Care Facility, Fitchburg, Wis. He was born on Nov. 28, 1927, in Highland, N.Y., to Francis J. and Minnie (Mackey) RheaI, the youngest of four siblings. He graduated from Highland High School in 1946 and went on to join the U.S. Army and serve in Korea. After the Army, he started a family and received his master’s degree in physical education at Syracuse University. Coaching and sports were his passion. Joseph’s work experience ranged from football coach at Shaker Junior and Senior High School and Fox Lane High School, to sales, to investment banking, to realtor, to a small business owner. He always followed his interests; he loved an adventure and trying new things! At the age of 70, he learned to ballroom dance, became a dance host on cruise ships, and traveled the world. At age 80, he took a class on writing poetry, and went on to write close to 100 poems. Joseph is known for his contagious smile and bright blue eyes, and always looking on the bright side. He was very focused on the positive and took what life brought to him. Joseph enjoyed the good things and shared his gratitude. When asked if he believed in the afterlife, he said "I'm coming back as a singer in my next life. In this life I can't sing a note or carry a tune. I feel thankful for the life I had. There are many good memories I can recall." Joseph was very proud of his daughter, Alicia Rheal; his son, Joseph D. Roumelis; along with his grandchildren, Joseph Roumelis and Lindsay Roumelis; and nephew, John Radcliffe. He will be joining his siblings, Francis "Bud" Rheal, Kathryn Hoffman Radcliffe, and Lester "Let" Rheal. A Celebration of Life will be held in Madison, Wis., in January 2019. He will be interred at the Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's & Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin (www.alzwisc.org) or Agrace HospiceCare (www.agrace.org.). Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Fitchburg Funeral & Cremation Care 2950 Chapel Valley Rd. (608) 442-5502