J. Richard Dennerlein died on Jan. 1 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Elmira, N.Y. He was 82. Born in White Plains, N.Y., on Feb. 25, 1927, Rich was a World War II veteran and attended Alfred University for glass technology under the GI Bill.

He spent summer vacations with his family on Herring Creek Road on the east side of Lake Tashmoo from 1951 until his health prohibited travel to the Island in recent years.

Rich would be found in the early years helping his in-laws, the late Harold and Connie Tigh, build their camp, and swimming on what was then White Beach. He was an avid fisherman, casting off the jetty at Lake Tashmoo’s Herring Creek to reel in striped bass, bluefish and even a couple bonito. With his wife, Lorraine Tigh, he enjoyed clamming on Tashmoo with the occasional dip in the lake. After retiring from Westinghouse Corporation, Rich and Lorraine bought the ketch Aurora and kept her in Vineyard Haven. In later years, Rich switched boats to the more manageable motorboat Dandelion, chosen for her name’s resemblance to his own last name.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years; his brother Donald and wife Karen of Lakewood, N.Y.; a daughter, Janet Hobbs, and her husband Carter of Austin, Tex.; sons John and wife Mary of Westfield, N.J., James Christopher and wife Helene of North Babylon, N.Y., Jack and partner Jeffrey of Dorchester, and Jesse of Bardstown, Ky.; and eight grandchildren.

Donations may be made to the Eldridge Park Preservation Society, P.O. Box 3056, Elmira, N.Y. 14905-0056 or the Horseheads Free Library, 405 S. Main street, Horseheads, N.Y. 14845.