Obituary of Nikolai I. Rechetniak

Nikolai I. Rechetniak. Nikolai Ivanovich Rechetniak, 67, passed away unexpectedly from heart failure on November 17th, 2018. Nikolai was born in the city of Kirovograd on May, 26 1951. He studied at the Saint Petersburg Academy of Fine Arts. In 1987 he was married to Galina Alexeeva in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Nikolai dedicated his life to the arts. In 1980 he moved from the Soviet Union to America to start a new life. He forged an unconventional path and built a life in a country that allowed him to pursue his interests. At first he created art while supporting himself working odd jobs - at a record store, as a taxi driver, and at the international book exchange sending books to Russia that could not be published or distributed there. Along the way he learned the language, the culture, and made countless friends. After 7 years in America, he was joined by his wife in 1988. He resided in the small town of Windham NY, while tirelessly traveling and working to support a family and pursue a lifelong career in fine arts. For the past 25 years he owned and operated an art gallery business. Nikolai was a leader not afraid to blaze a trail others thought impossible. He became a pillar of support, friendship and knowledge in an artistic community that spanned countries. His circle of friends included artists, musicians, historians, scholars, writers and poets. Everyone who knew him respected and admired his kindness, encyclopedic knowledge and boundless generosity. Nikolai was drawn towards creativity, knowledge, and free expression - whether it was art, music, or books. Nikolai collected it all and shared freely with others. He will be missed by thousands of friends and colleagues all across the world. Nikolai is survived by his beloved wife Galina Rechetniak, two sons Timothy and Leo and his sister Tatiana. Family and friends will gather for funeral services on Saturday November 24 beginning with a wake at Deckers funeral home at 10:00 a.m. It will move to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption for service at 12:30; commencing with a burial service at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery at 2:30. Arrangements are being handled by the Decker Funeral Home, Windham.