Rev. Charles Rice, Jr. (2000)

Born in Brooklyn in 1917, Charlie Rice was one of life’s goodwill ambassadors who made Greenville a better place. He became acquainted with the area through the Ingalside resort. After a distinguished World War II career (Distinguished Flying Service, a ribbon he frequently wore), Charles bought the Griffin house on Ingalside Road, a house that is still in the family.

Charlie was ordained in 1959 at Greenville’s Christ Episcopal Church and soon left to his first parish near Buffalo. He would return in the mid-1970s to serve in Ashland, Cairo and Palenville. As a staunch Legionnaire, Charlie became Department Chaplain for NYS, and later was National Chaplain in 1984-1985. He offered invocations at the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as for the NYS Assembly and Senate.

Charlie was a member of numerous organizations and loved golf. It was, however, the way that he shared of himself that many people remember him – wonderful, always a smile, willing to talk, patriotic, marvelous, warm, always helping are typical descriptions of this man. Charlie love Greenville, and his smile symbolized his love. In return, Greenville loved Charles Rice. He passed in 2008.

By Don Teator, Greenville Town Historian