Joseph Richard Zeidell

Richard went on to the great gig in the sky on April 9, 2023 surrounded by family. His burial will take place at Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery with military honors.

Richard is survived by a wife of 41 years, children grandchildren, sister, niece and nephew.

Richard grew up in Queens. He later moved to Long Island, before settling in Bakersville for the next 35 years. He attended Our Lady of the Cenacle School in Richmond Hill, NY. When the Vietnam War started Richard enlisted to help serve our country. He had many stories to tell about his time in the army. Once he returned home he attended Suffolk County Community College to pursue his electrical license. Richard would later go on to receive his teaching certificate and teach Electrical Engineering at BOCES, on Long Island, for several years. He later received the title of Master Electrician and ran his own business for the majority of his career. He worked on many different job sites, from the subway systems in New York all the way to our local hospital in Spruce Pine. He continued to renew his license every year until his passing.

Richard always loved fishing and found joy in wood working in his later years. As a younger man he spent his time bike riding, boating, riding his motorcycle, or racing. As a kid he loved spending summers at Coney Island with his sister. Richard was a member of the Mitchell County DAV, Chapter 58. He was commander for many years. Richard enjoyed serving his fellow veterans in any way that he could.

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