Obituary of Earl J. Kiesel

Earl J. Kiesel of Naples, Florida, passed away on January 5, 2014. He was born in New York City on March 1, 1925. Earl was the son of Bridget Brennan and George Kiesel. He had a loving sister, Margaret Flanagan, and brother, George Kiesel, who predeceased him. Earl raised his family in Commack, NY and River Edge, NJ, before moving to Naples, FL. While visiting children in New York, he became ill and spent his last days in the Hudson Valley; during this time he was kindly cared for by many health care professionals including his devoted daughter, Margaret and son-in-law, Dr. Stuart Feinstein. Earl was born and raised in NYC. He was an altar boy and sang in the choir at St. Patrick's Cathedral. After graduating from LaSalle Academy, Earl served in the U.S. Navy during World War II on the USS Sea Dog submarine and in the Korean War (USS Dogfish). While attaining his B.A. from Fordham University, he continued his call to service as a Lieutenant for the NYC Fire Department. Following his retirement from NYFD, Earl embarked on second career with AT&T as a safety engineer. Earl married Marian D. Ackerman and began a family, creating a loving home together for their six children until Marian passed away in 1965. While substitute teaching, Earl found happiness again, when he met Barbara, his wife of 46 years. In the years to follow, they were blessed with two more boys, caring parents to eight children and nine grandchildren. Earl's greatest pleasure came from planning family gatherings and his love of music. He brought joy to his children and grandchildren during trips to the beach, family barbecues, and Christmas celebrations. Earl is survived by his wife, Barbara Kiesel, of Naples, Florida, and his eight children Marian Torriglia (Tony), Key West, FL; Margaret Feinstein (Stuart), Poughkeepsie, NY; Katharine Kiesel, New York, NY; Louise Ferregur (Sigfredo), Newbury Park, CA; Ruth Ann Brady (Steven), San Diego, CA; Earl John Kiesel (Lynn), New York, NY; Terence Kiesel (Lyudmila), Middletown, NY; Christopher Kiesel, Hilton Head, SC. Nine grandchildren survive him: Colleen, Clare, Mary, David, Michele, Matthew, Maxwell, Jessica, and Ryan. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to The Bowery Mission, 132 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016 or Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, P.O. Box 27106, New York, NY 10087. Calling hours will take place on January 9, 2014 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on January 10, 2014 at 10 a.m. at St Martin de Porres Parish, 118 Cedar Valley Road, Poughkeepsie, NY. Interment with military honors will follow at 2 p.m. at Long Island National Cemetery, Farmingdale, NY. For directions or to send a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.