John Francis Rieckelman

John Francis Rieckelman left this world on August 5 after spending his final days in his beloved mountains of North Carolina.

John was born in Buffalo New York on December 17, 1935.  After spending several years at Syracuse University, he joined his father in business and in 1958 started a branch in Canada that became highly successful.  When he turned fifty, he decided to retire to pursue his passion, woodworking.   He returned to the United States to live in 1997 and was very proud of his residences in Cashiers, NC and Clearwater, FL.

John was a wonderful craftsman and among the top percentile in the cabinet making art.  The many beautiful pieces of furniture that he built will be part of his legacy.

John believed in hard work and passed this ethic on to his children.  They were his pride and joy and he took every opportunity to brag of their successes.

John is survived by his beloved and devoted wife Peggy, his three sons – Edward (Tracy), Thomas (Kelly), and Robert (Dana), his daughter Anne Marie (Azim, nine grandchildren and his sisters – Nancy Murphy and Joan Strachan.

The family will have a private celebration of life at a later date.

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home is serving the Rieckelman family. Online condolences can be made at www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com