Rhett A. Kristl
Rhett A. Kristl, 61, of Marcy, passed away on November 12, 2022 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on August 23, 1961 the son of Patricia (Albee) and Daniel E. Kristl in Boscawen, NH. He lost both his parents at a young age yet kept his promise to his mother and graduated from Merrimack Valley high School in NH.
Rhett worked at a tannery, building clocks at Seth Thomas and building homes in NH. He moved to Rome to work on the Delta Dam renovation in 1981 and owned a fence company while living in Boca Raton, FL for a few years. When he returned to Rome, he worked for many years at Rome Strip Steel. Rhett was a skilled carpenter and did many side jobs.
He met Nan, the love of his life, married her in 2004 and built her their dream home in Marcy. Together they spent 26 years and shared a special bond and love. There wasn’t anything they wouldn’t do for each other.
Rhett had many medical obstacles to overcome over the years. He was a two time kidney recipient and was on the wait list for a third. He fought through several medical battles where he came close to death, including two months on life support and in a coma with COVID. Rhett was a fighter and he managed to pull through time after time.
Besides his wife, Nancy Kristl, Rhett is survived by his two sons, Rhett E. Kristl of Charlotte, NC and Justin (Abby) Kristl of Clarksville, TN. He leaves two sisters, Ramona Stambaugh of Sunfield, MI and Terri (Terry) Crooks of Alachua, FL and one brother, Daniel Kristl of Lake Charles, LA. He is survived by his brother-in-law, Tony (Lee) Petrucci of Las Vegas, NV and two sisters-in-law, Jane (Fred) Askham of Westminster, CO and Marie (Bill) Williams of New Hartford. He leaves many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews as well as his friends.
He is predeceased by his parents, Patricia and Daniel Kristl, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Vincent and Mary Petrucci, a sister-in-law and her husband, Elaine and Anthony Evans of Rome, a brother-in-law, Leroy Stambaugh of Michigan and a nephew, Kris Kristl, of Wisconsin. He is also predeceased by his beloved German Shepherds; Wiley Coyote and the Tasmanian Devil (aka Taz). This past year he also lost Bear (his service dog) and his boy Harley. He leaves behind two shepherds, his crazy tail chasing girl, Zoey and his puppy Ace in the care of his wife.
Rhett loved riding his Harley Davidson Fatboy, playing golf, fishing or just hanging out on their boat, antiquing and estate sales with his wife, traveling and just lying on his pool float in the hot summer sun. He loved working around the house and was happiest in their home, just hanging out with his wife and dogs. He was kind hearted man who always went out of his way to help those less fortunate than him. He always made donations of food and gifts to the Rescue Mission on the holidays. He was also passionate about helping animals in need.
His wife wants to thank nephrologists Dr. Ira Tisch, Dr. Charles Eldridge and Upstate University Hospital transplant center for their expertise over the past 30 years as well as the nurses and doctors at St. Luke’s Hospital for their compassion and care over the past two months as he fought his last medical battle.
Calling hours will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2022 from 4 to 6 PM at the Bottini Funeral Home, 120 W. Embargo St. There will be a short prayer service at 6 PM at the funeral home led by Rev. Paul F. Angelicchio of St. John the Baptist Church. Family and friends are invited to stay after the prayer service for the eulogy and will have an opportunity to speak about Rhett.
Donations can be made in Rhett’s honor to the Rome Rescue Mission, the National Kidney Foundation, or a local animal shelter of your choice.
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