Obituary of Howard R. Relin

Howard Relin, originally of Rochester and Canandaigua, a dedicated public servant, true people person and loving family man, passed away on December 7, 2022 at age 81. A life-long public servant, Howard served as Monroe County's District Attorney from 1983 through 2003, which made him the longest serving DA in county history. First appointed by then Governor Mario Cuomo and subsequently re-elected five times, he served as the President of the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York, in addition to serving on the board of the National District Attorneys Association. His dedication to the community went beyond the DA's office as he was active in many groups, including Greater Rochester Fights Back, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Mothers of Murdered Children, and the Monroe County Commission on Violence. Howard earned his Bachelor's Degree from Columbia University and his JD from the University of Buffalo Howard is survived by his loving wife Betsy of 34 years, his children and their spouses Joni (Keith) Eddinger, Mike (Amy) Toole, and Maura Toole, his grandchildren Emily (Joe) Chard, Becca Toole, Connor (Leanne) Weis, Jake Chard, Trevor Weis, Graham Leitner, TJ (Anjoli) Toole, Konrad Leitner, Geoff and Steve (Rachel) Chard, and his great-grandchildren Mackenzie, Collin and Connor Charlie and Jack Carpenter. He is pre-deceased by his parents, Charlie and Belle Relin, brother Jerry Relin, daughter Marti Leitner, and grandson Andrew Chard. Through their marriage, Howard and Betsy became a power couple in Monroe County politics, known for opening their home to family and friends for parties, gourmet meals, fundraisers and always a rousing conversation. Howard loved to entertain and was the consummate host, always ready with a warm greeting, a beverage, and sincere interest in a guest's stories and conversation. A life-long Opera aficionado, Howard owned thousands of CDs, cassettes and vinyl's and knew the words of every Opera imaginable. Listening to Opera while reclining in his chair was Howard's favorite means of relaxation. When wintering in Arizona after retirement, Howard taught Opera at the University of Arizona's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, having previously taught criminal justice at Rochester Institute of Technology. Though they married later in life, Howard quickly embraced the role of Father and Grandfather. Moving to Seneca Lake, the Relins ensured that everyone had a place to call home and established a family compound with cottages for every family. Perhaps overly generous, they included family in every vacation they planned, including Cape Cod, Florida, Wyoming, Ireland, Greece and Barcelona. Greetings in memorial of Howard will be held on December 15, 2022 at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center from 11am till 1:00pm with a service and small reception to follow. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Jewish Senior Life Foundation, Happiness House or the Bivona Child Advocacy Center. To share a memory or express condolences online please visit www.fullerfh.com