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William Rinaldi Obituary
LARGO, FL - Bill entered into eternal rest at the Bay Pines Veterans Hospital with his son and friends at his side on April 3, 2014.
Bill, known to his family and friends as "The Colonel," was born William Rinaldi II on September 6, 1943. Son of the late John and Nancy Sebastiano Rinaldi of Poughkeepsie, NY, Bill is survived by his son, Dr. Joshua Rinaldi of Poughkeepsie, sisters Joan Cerniglia of Fort Myers, Florida and Garrison, NY, Nancy Rinaldi and her husband, Anthony Minervini of Newtown CT, brothers Richard and his wife Susan of Skippack PA, and John Jr. and his wife, Janeanne of Santa Barbara CA, and brother-in-law, Peter Scofield of Lagrangeville, aunts and many nieces and nephews. Bill was predeceased by his sister Judith Scofield and brother-in-law Philip Cerniglia.
Bill attended Mount Carmel School, Poughkeepsie High School, Roosevelt High School (in Hyde Park, New York), and Dutchess Community College. He enlisted in the United States Army and served from 1965 to 1968 during the Vietnam conflict. Bill, along with members of his battalion, was awarded two Bronze Service Stars while stationed at Pleiku, Vietnam, for his part in two major combat operations during his tour of duty.
Upon returning from Vietnam, Bill was stationed in Fort Hood, Texas where he played in the First Armored Division Band for the remainder of his service.
In civilian life, Bill created a successful auction and flea-market enterprise. One of his innovations in this industry was an appraisal radio call-in show that was distributed to five states in the Northeast, and it continues to this day worldwide via the Internet.
Bill will be remembered by his friends and family as very generous and caring. His larger than life personality entertained friends, family and clients and kept them coming back for more. This hard working, hard playing, charismatic individual will be missed.
A memorial gathering for family and friends will be held on Sunday May 4th from 1-3pm at the Michael Torsone Memorial Funeral Home, Inc. 218 Mill St. Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.
Wheelchair entrance is located in the rear of Funeral Home on Vassar St.
Burial will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made in Bill's memory to The Wounded Warrior Project http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org
For directions or to send an online condolence please visit our website at www.torsonememorial.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Rinaldi
Frank Cuonzo Largo,Florida
March 1, 2025
I met Bill through my wife Joey and her friends,what a great person this man was.He was full of life and smart wasn"t the word for him,he was brilliant. His name came to mind today and he was a person hard to forget. Vietnam hurt him,but he carried on.....FRANK
Barbara Kennedy
June 9, 2020
lots of laughter up there on the block....sometimes no sense at all...wonderful stuff...he will be missed....greatly...
zelda
May 11, 2014
He could tell my personality just by talking to me and told me to just ask him and not be bashful about an item at his display of auction merchandise at the flea market. Threw an orange in my hand when I was hungry , that's the kind of person he Was.
Lynn Simmons
May 4, 2014
Dear Josh,
I am so sad in the loss of my special friend, Bill, after 27 years I take with me wonderful memories and times well spent. He was an honest and kind man to all. My partner, Tom, called him The Colonel and he called Tom The Captain. I know he is with Tom and they are both in a better place. I will miss Bill everyday. Always in my heart.
Lynnie
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Jerry (Deano) Starpoli
April 29, 2014
Was friends with Billy since?. I can't remember back that far. Probably early 1960s. My favorite line of his was when we would go for lunch at Balassone's coffee shop. "Turtle Soup, and make it snappy!" to the waitress every time. I still use it but sparingly. RIP Bill. We all miss you.
The legendary trip to California
Jim and Susan Pelish
April 29, 2014
Dear Josh, Jim and I have so many happy memories of your dad. This picture was taken in the 60's when we all lived together on Titusville Rd. Our love to you and all your family.
Jim and Susan
Sharon Lyon
April 28, 2014
My sincere sympathy to all family and friends. Billy and the Rinaldi family will remain in my heart, where they have always been.
Sharon Burton Rinaldi Lyon
Bethel, Maine
Ellen P. Flynn
April 27, 2014
Dear Joshua,and family members,
Please know that I always regarded Billy as great guy and good friend, from High School and Dutchess Community College days. We continued our friendship while I worked at Vassar College and while his dear son Joshua was attending Poughkeepsie Day School.We shared an interest in Antiques and mutual buddies. Memories of lots of laughs and good times will always be fond to me. May he rest in peace, and may your sadness fade knowing that the world is a better place because we had Billy in it. Peace.
April 16, 2014
“Cousin Billy” was the big kid from Poughkeepsie, the big personality who spent an entire summer when he was 17 entertaining and taunting his younger “Jersey” cousins.
After dinner each night we'd congregate on the front “stoop” allowing his charisma to pour over us all while playing 52 Pick Up or Find the (imaginary) Quarter in the Grass and It's Yours. While visits between us were more intermittent than they should have been, Bill had a wonderful way of making you feel as though time apart could never weaken the relationship. Never was the time dull when he was around, and he would engage everyone in the room, one by one. Looking back, he had a unique connection to Uncle Tony, and It wouldn't be great if they found each other again! Joshua, let his guiding words remain with you forever, and take all that he was and put it in your heart, making him a part of your being.
Love, cousin Patty
stefanie czerniewski
April 16, 2014
Billy always made me laughs and will be missed
Joe Valastro
April 15, 2014
My heartfelt condolences to the Rinaldi family. I have known Bill since my days at Mt. Carmel. May he Rest in Peace.
Tami Kelly
April 14, 2014
Ranaldi Family,
May you find comfort in treasured memories. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Tami and Jimmy Kelly
Jerry Joyce
April 14, 2014
To Rich and the Rinaldi family my sincere condolences on the loss of Bill. Larger than life, always ready with a smile or joke, Bill was Po'keepsie for me. God bless and keep you Bill. So glad to have known you. You will be missed.
Susan Brearley
April 13, 2014
Prayers of peace for friends and family.
Gabe Renzo
April 13, 2014
"It is the road of lost content, I see it shining plain; those happy highways where I went and can not come again. ~A.E. Houseman
Barbara Sweeney
April 9, 2014
I have fond memories of Bill in high school days and attending auctions back in the day. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
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