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Michael J Rich was born on April 28, 1927, in Rye, New York.to parents Micheal and Lena Rich. Michael and his family lived on 84 Overlook Place in Rye, and were members of the Curch of the Resurrection.
When Michael was growing up, Rye was a small town with a population of 9,865. He lived with his parents and multiple siblings, Samuel, Laura, Marie, and Joseph, and an Uncle, James. Joseph’s father owned their house and it was valued at $3,000 ($57,000 in today’s dollars).
Michael was a Rye High School Graduate, Class of 1944. At RHS he was involved in many clubs and played football, basketball and baseball. He enlisted in 1945 and served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
 Michael served as a sergeant with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Corps. He was stationed in Iceland. The main objective of the engineers in Iceland was to build and maintain airfields and ports that would protect the vital shipping lanes of the North Atlantic. Iceland was also a strategic refueling and resting point for the ferrying of planes to England.
After the war Michael attended Bowling Green University in Ohio. He was former president of Rich Bros. Builders and owner of the Beachcomber Restaurant. The restaurant was located on Cornell Place across from the then Oakland Avenue pool. Michael married Edna A Shea on August 4, 1968, in his hometown.
He worked for The City of Rye for over 20 years as building inspector, assistant city assessor and for seven years, City Clerk. Michael was an active member and past captain of the Rye Fire Department.
 Michael J Rich died on July 11, 1987, in Stamford, Connecticut, at the age of 60, and was buried at Greenwood Union Cemetery in Rye, New York.
At the time of his death he was survived by his wife, a sister Laura Martello of Rye; a brother, Samuel of Rye; a stepson, John Shea of Waldwik, NJ and two grandchildren.
A brother, Joseph and a sister, Marie Mailing, died earler.
Michael Rich - Review by Tim Harvey on May 11, 2013
Mike was drafted after the Rye Harrison football game of 43 Rye won 9-0, in the snow, and Mike carried the ball for two offensive plays . He served in the Army and with his construction background You might remember he was later City of Rye Engineer he served in Iceland as a plumber . . . . . . . was just itching to get to Europe with his brother Joe. . . .
Rye High School Graduate, class of 1944
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