Richard William Liell

Richard William Liell went to be with the Lord from his home in Medford, New York, on July 8, 2015.  Richie, as he was known to his friends and family, was born in Stony Brook, New York, on May 31, 1994, having recently celebrated his 21^st birthday.  He grew up his entire life in Medford, attending local schools and graduating from Patchogue-Medford High School in 2012.  Richie was attending Brevard College in North Carolina on a tennis scholarship and was on track to graduate in May, 2016.

Richie was a passionate tennis player, having competed throughout high school and college and attended tennis academies in Spain, Florida and Long Island.  He was ranked #1 by the USTA for Boys Tennis in the Long Island Region during 2012-2013.  Richie played Varsity NCAA Division II Tennis for Brevard from 2012- 2015 and was enthusiastically training at Wholistic Tennis Academy in Westhampton, New York, for his final year of collegiate competition. Earlier in life he studied Karate with Tiger Shulman for seven years, ultimately achieving a brown belt, third degree.  More recently, he had developed an interest in the piano and was in the process of teaching himself.  He enjoyed spending time with family and close friends playing games of all kinds . . . but only if he won.

Richie was passionate about many things, including life itself.  He approached everything, from cliff diving to Matterhorns (ice cream sundaes) to jig-saw puzzles with unparalleled gusto, wide eyes and a smile so big it bordered on goofy.  Richie was a natural leader – a person others were irresistibly drawn to.  His joyful influence enlivened and enriched the lives of those close to him and will be missed for our entire lifetimes.

Richie is survived by his parents, Richard Kenneth and Mary Christine Liell of Medford, New York; siblings Casey Leigh (Brenda) Jolly of Virginia Beach, Virginia and Carlea Lillian Liell of New Orleans, Louisiana; and nephews and niece Taegan Kenneth, Leonella Ray and Porter Ezekiel Jolly; grandfather Richard T. Liell; aunts and uncles, James Liell, Kevin Liell, Abigail Liell, Midge and Tom Weyant, Rebecca and John Hepner, Michael and Linda Jolly, Jeffrey and Lynn Jolly; cousins Donny, Jesse, Dakotah, Britney, Sarah, Katharine, Joshua and Macaila.  He is preceded in death by grandparents Sharon Liell, Richard Jolly and Sandra Hoover and uncles Scott and Kurt Liell.

A visitation will be held from 7:00 – 9:30 on Sunday, July 12, 2015 at Moloney’s Bohemia Funeral Home, 1320 Lakeland Avenue, Bohemia, New York 11716.  A service will be held at the Funeral Home during the visitation.