Erich T. Griesser

Oliverea-

Erich T. Griesser, of Oliverea, NY, died on November 25 th at Glens Falls Hospital, at the age of 78. He suffered from Alzheimer’s and succumbed to complications of pneumonia. Erich was born on November 16, 1941 to Clara and Erich Griesser in White Plains, NY. Erich was born shortly after his parents immigrated to the United States and purchased a boarding house (Alpine Haus) in the Catskills. He was raised in Oliverea with SwissGerman as his mother tongue. He attended a one room schoolhouse until 8th grade and graduated from the newly constructed Onteora Central School at the age of 16. Erich attended Cornell University where he studied Hotel Administration, apprenticed at resorts in Switzerland, and graduated in 1961. Erich met his wife-to-be, Edna Pape, when she was working as a chambermaid at the Alpine Inn. The two dated during college and later married, settled in Forest Hills, NY, and both worked for Pan Am Airlines. In 1967, Edna and Erich moved to Oliverea, NY to take over the Alpine Inn from Erich’s parents. They ran the country inn for over fifty years; growing it substantially from its humble origin as a seasonal boarding house to a 26-room, year-round resort and restaurant known for its European hospitality, delicious food, and beautiful grounds surrounded by mountain streams and Catskill Forest Preserve. Erich also served as tax assessor for the Town of Shandaken for over thirty years and served on many local boards and business associations.

Erich is survived by his three sons, Glenn of Shelburne, VT, Jamie of Shandaken, NY, and Jon of Los Osos, CA and their respective spouses and seven grandchildren. His family remembers Erich as a dedicated husband and father; a hardworking innkeeper who could fix or build anything; and an excellent chef whose rich cooking was loved by so many. He enjoyed listening to jazz; socializing with his guests, neighbors, and business associates; spending time eating, drinking, and laughing with his friends and family; and traveling to visit family in Switzerland and Germany whenever he could. Erich loved his family and will be remembered for his amazing aptitude, dry and often dirty sense of humor, and positive outlook on life. A private memorial service will take place in Spring 2020 in the Oliverea Cemetery followed by a celebration of Erich’s life with friends and family. We will always hold Erich’s memory in our hearts.  You may share a special memory on Erich's Tribute Wall at gormleyfuneralhome.com

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