Two Longtime Lido Shorians Have Died

We are saddened to pass along that two of our Lido Shores neighborhood family members have passed away.  Our sincere condolences to the families of Dr. John Reichheld and Richard Hangen.

Dr. John N. Reichheld

Born: January 16, 1932
Died: April 10, 2016

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Dr. John N. Reichheld, Jan. 16, 1932 - Apr. 10, 2016 a well-known and beloved orthodontist in Greater Lowell and Lexington, passed away peacefully in Sarasota, Florida, on Sunday, April 10th in the presence of his loving family.

John was born in Providence, R.I, to Manford and Betty (Newell) Reichheld, on January 16,1932. He graduated from Newton High School and matriculated at Boston College, class of 1954. The summer after graduating from Boston College, John married Patricia Burns, whom he met while they were both working summer jobs at the Wicker Tree Restaurant in North Falmouth.

The newlyweds began their family while John was completing his dental studies. After he earned his DMD at Tufts University, now the father of two young sons, Tom and John, Jr., (Jay), Dr. Reichheld enlisted in the United States Navy and was stationed in Newfoundland. Following his naval service, he enrolled in the Orthodontics program at The University of Pennsylvania. John and Pat's family continued to grow, and soon Stephen, Elizabeth, and James were born.

Upon graduation from The University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Reichheld established his orthodontic practice in Lowell and Lexington, where he served the community and his profession for over forty years.

A kind and giving man who put smiles on thousands of faces, John was noted for his exceptional professional work, his generosity, and his devotion to his family.

John and Pat raised their family in Lexington and were very active in the town's activities. Pat passed away from melanoma in 1982, but her magnificent influence on John and her family was never diminished.

John was inspired to help others, he was a familiar face at many charitable events, and he became the impetus for the participation of hundreds of local residents in the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Cancer in Boston.

Dr. Reichheld chaired this special fundraising event every October. The Reichhelds hired dozens of buses to transport Lowell area residents to Boston. This was Dr. Reichheld's way of "giving back" to a community that had supported him and his family during a most difficult time. Reichheld Family Orthodontics raised more money than any other city or town that participated in Making Strides from 1989 to 2003.

Dr. Reichheld treated his patients like family. He was kind, compassionate, and always wanted to see them have fun. He loved sponsoring 'Patient Appreciation Days", but he was an active participant. You could see him waving from a roller coaster at Canobie Lake, rollerskating with patients on each arm at Roller Kingdom, getting a whipped cream pie in the face at a Reichheld Family Picnic for the patients, or sitting in a movie theater on Christmas Eve morning at their annual movie party.

Dr. Reichheld was a member of the Massachusetts Dental Society, the Greater Lowell Dental Society, the American Association of Orthodontists, the Merrimack Valley Dental Society, the Lions Club of Lexington and he was president of the Northeast Dental Society. Dr. Reichheld was highly regarded for his generosity and philanthropy. He participated for many years in the John Havlicek Celebrity Fishing Tournament, donating his boat, the Crossbite, and his time to raise funds for The Genesis Fund. He received the " Community Hero "award from Community Teamwork Inc. in Lowell.

Spending winters in Sarasota, Florida, John was ever so fortunate to meet Angie Albers in 1999. They were a wonderful, happy couple, and were married on John's 75th birthday and enjoyed life together. John was a volunteer at the Mote Marine, and at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital. He filled his days caring for others, golfing, and loving his family. A consummate professional and an engaged citizen who contributed to his community, Dr. Reichheld loved life, and he was loved by many. Unquestionably his pride and joy was his family -- his true legacy.

Dr. Reichheld is survived by his devoted wife, Angie Albers Reichheld, his children, Thomas and his wife, Dr. Joann Buonomano, of Wolfeboro, NH, Dr. John, Jr. (Jay) and his wife, Linda, of Carlisle, MA, Dr. Stephen, and his wife, Dr. Deborah DeBeradinis Reichheld, of Manchester, NH, his daughter, Elizabeth (Beth) of Woodstock, NY and Dr. James and his wife, Julia, of Concord, MA. He also leaves a stepson, Dan Rudd of Lexington, KY.

Dr. Reichheld is survived by twelve grandchildren, Marie and Vincent Reichheld, Nicholas, Tyler, and Katelyn Reichheld, Stephen, Timothy and Alyse Reichheld, Emma, Peter, and Sarah Reichheld, and Leah Reichheld Watt.

Dr. Reichheld also leaves behind his loving sister, Eleanor Lewis, of Falmouth, MA, and Del Ray Beach, Florida. He was predeceased by his older brother, Bob, whom he adored.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Patricia Burns Reichheld Charitable Fund. Checks may be sent to the Greater Lowell Community Foundation/Patricia Burns Reichheld Charitable Fund 100 Merrimack Street Suite 202 Lowell, MA 01852. Online at GLCFoundation.org/PatriciaBurnsReichheldCharitableFund