Max (H.) Reicher

Judge Max H. Reicher, 102 years of age, of Chamberlain St., New Britain, died Monday, September 28, 2009. Born in New Britain, he graduated from New Britain High School in 1925 and went on to attend Syracuse University. In 1930, he earned his juris doctor degree from Boston University Law School. Soon after on July 8, 1930, he was admitted to the Connecticut Bar. Judge Reicher began his practice on Main St. in New Britain, becoming actively involved in the community. From 1945-46 Judge Reicher served as Chairman of the Board of Compensation and Assessment for the City of New Britain; from 1947-49 he was Chairman of the Housing Authority; and from 1949-50, he was the Clerk of the City Court of New Britain. In 1955, Judge Reicher was appointed to the local Police and City Court. In 1961, after the Connecticut General Assembly abolished county government, he became one of the original 44 Circuit Court judges. He served as judge of the Circuit Court from 1961 to 1974; a judge of the Court of Common Pleas from 1974-77; and completed his last year of official full-time employment in 1977 as a judge of the Superior Court. Since 1977, Judge Reicher held his present position of Judge Trial Referee in the New Britain Judicial District. He continued to be a member of the New Britain Bar Association, the Hartford County Bar Association and the Connecticut Bar Association. Within the New Britain Bar Association, he previously served as the Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President and President. He was a former member of the Country Club of Farmington, Farmington, and a former member of Tumble Brook Country Club, Bloomfield. He was was married to Lillian P. Reicher for 73 years, who died at the age of 96, in December of 2006. He leaves his daughter, Merle Langs Greenberg of Rockford, IL; his son, Robert J. Reicher of West Hartford; three grandchildren: William Langs, Lawrence Langs and his wife, Anna, and Andrea Bear and her husband Dr. Brian Bear; and five great grandchildren: Brad Langs, Benjamin, Lauren and Emily Bear, and Maxim Langs. Despite his progressive fraility, his mind remained active, alert and sharp until the very end. He loved life, and loved people, and had a remarkable memory for detail of not only the law, but also for his life and the lives of those who mattered to him. As a judge, he advised and helped people to reach meaningful decisions. Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 2, 2009 at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of the Weinstein Mortuary, 640 Farmington Avenue, Hartford with Rabbi Henry Okolica officiating. Interment will follow in Beth Alom Cemetery, New Britain. The family will receive visitors and friends at Judge Reicher’s home, 26 Chamberlain St., New Britain on Friday, from 4:00 - 6:00 PM, and again on Saturday, October 3rd, from 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Boston University School of Law, 765 Commonwealth Ave., Esdaile Alumni Center, Suite 424, Attn: Cornell Stinson, Assistant Dean of Development & Alumni Affairs, Boston, MA 02215. For further information, directions, or to sign the guestbook for Judge Reicher, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com.