Membership Information
Dear RMC members,
We are sorry to let you know that RMC member, Ellen Grey-Bundy, passed away on March 25, 2026. She was 80 years old. She passed away unexpectedly in her home with her beloved dogs Nik and Crème by her side. Ellen is the daughter of Francis and Patricia Catto and was born in Port Huron, MI. She is survived by her husband of nearly 59 years, John, her son Rob (Julie), daughter Kate (Matt), granddaughters Lindsey and Lily.
Ellen enjoyed a 30 year plus career with New York Life and earned a Masters Degree in financial services. As a New York Life Development Manager in Michigan, she spent many years mentoring new agents in the insurance and financial services field. She was also a frequent Facilitator at Career Development Conferences for new agents.
Visitation and a memorial service will be held on Saturday April 18, 2026, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Grand Ledge, MI. Visitation with family begins at 10:00 am with a memorial service in her honor beginning at 11:00. Interment, in the Trinity Church Memorial Garden, will take place immediately following the service. Memorial donations in her memory may be made to the Trinity Episcopal Church organ fund. For more information, visit the Mills Funeral Home...
With Warm Regards,
Morris
RMC President
Dear RMC members,
I am very saddened to report that longtime RMC member, Howard Anderson, passed away on March 8, 2026. He was 80 years old. Howard had been fighting cancer for some time and had been on dialysis. He had hoped to live long enough to attend the RMC Reunion in September. Howard is survived by his wife of 58 years, Cissy; their daughter and son-in-law Amy & (Chip) Whalen, daughter Jenny Anderson and grandson Jonah Whalen. Also, brothers and sisters: Troyl (Carol) Anderson, Ray (Betty) Anderson, Gail Wilcox, Greg (Julie) Anderson; sisters-in-law, Pat Anderson, Marcia Biancone, Susan Parr; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Howard started his career working for Coca Cola. As he was looking for other job opportunities, he was introduced to New York Life Insurance Company where he would spend the next 35 years in many different roles as an agent, Sales Manager, and as First Vice President in IPS/Field Services when he retired in 2005. After retiring, Howard and Cissy moved to what would become their dream home, in Pinckney, MI, where they would live until settling down in Rockford, MI to be closer to family.
Friends and family will gather to celebrate his life on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Van Strien Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield Ave. NE. Grand Rapids, MI. Visitation will be at 11:00 am, the Service at 12:00 pm, and a Celebration Gathering at 1:00 pm (EDT). For more information and to see Howard's full obituary, visit Heritage Life Story Funeral Home...
At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation - a foundation to honor and support our nation's veterans, first responders, wounded heroes, families of the fallen, and those enduring invisible wounds.
With Warm Regards,
Morris
RMC President
Dear RMC Members,
It is with great sadness to tell you our founder, Al Ivonelli, passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2025. Al had a massive stroke on January 7th. He was surrounded by all of his family grandkids from New York and Connecticut, his daughter, Linda, and her two boys, as well as, his two brothers who had been with him the whole time while he was hospitalized. He was 86 years old. We all will miss him.
Al loved his time with New York Life, and had a distinguished career with much recognition and many awards along the way. Albert was highly educated, and dedicated many days and nights studying to achieve the highest levels of education, including Certified Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), Masters in Estate Planning and Taxation, Master of Science Financial Services degree. Albert retired with honor in 1994 as General Manager of the El Paso, TX General Office but continued to serve as a consultant to New York Life for some time. Soon after settling into the new home in Las Vegas, NV in 1996,, he fulfilled two of his visions: he founded the Painted Desert Men’s Golf Club, and the New York Life Retired Managers Club . The first RMC reunion was held later that year at the Rio Hotel in LV. Al went on to attend every reunion through the 2024 reunion in Alexandria, VA. Both clubs are still going strong today, and both clubs added great enjoyment to his retirement years.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Al's honor to the following charities:
- Nevada SPCA
- Nathan Adelson Hospice
A Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 28, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, Funeral Service at 2:00 PM, Committal Service at 3:00 PM. All services are at Palm Northwest Mortuary & Cemetery, 6701 N Jones Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89131.
Al's obituary may be seen here where fond memories and heartfelt condolences may be left for the Iovinelli family.
At all future RMC Reunions, we will always remember and thank Al for founding the New York Life Retired Members Club!
With Warm Regards,
Morris
RMC President
Dear RMC Members,
It is very sad to inform you of Richard (Rich) Wecker's passing. Rich was a RMC member many years ago. He died on November 15, 2024 after falling ill while travelling in Italy with his wife, Pat. Rich will be sorely missed. Below is the Company's announcement to the NYL employees from Mark Madgett that was approved by his brother and NYL agent, Mike Wecker:
Former SVP and Head of Agency Richard A. Wecker, CLU, LLIF, CLF passed away November 15 after falling ill while travelling in Italy with his wife, Pat. Rich was a thoughtful and inspirational leader.
Rich was born in Carmel, California and spent his early years living in different parts of the United States and in Linz, Austria while his father John served in the military. After high school in Monterey, California, Rich received a full basketball scholarship to attend St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California. After college, he joined the Army OCS and graduated as Second Lieutenant, serving for four years in Vietnam where he was wounded and awarded the Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain.
In 1971, Rich started with New York Life as an agent in the Monterey, CA office. By 1980, he was the general manager of the Long Beach, CA office and became regional vice president of North Central in 1985.
He transferred to the Home Office in 1988 and became Head of Agency in 1989, where he instituted the “pro-active agent” program – determining key benchmarks to help drive agent success. In 1992, he was tapped to lead a newly formed Marketing Department – and under Rich’s leadership, programs were created focusing on specific target market segments for the first time in the company’s history. In addition, he was instrumental in the development of the Nautilus Group in 1993 and the longstanding relationship with AARP that launched in 1994. The impact of many of these programs are still felt at New York Life today – along with the Continued Interest Account for beneficiaries that was also introduced during Rich’s tenure.
In 1996, Rich served as Chairman of the Board for LIMRA – an insurance market research organization serving 700 member companies around the world – and, upon retiring from New York Life, he served as President and CEO of LIMRA from 1997 to 2004.
Rich’s remarkable career stands as a testament to his dedication, expertise, and leadership within the financial services industry. The mark he made on New York Life and our industry are undeniable – and he will be greatly missed.
As per the family’s wishes, there will not be a memorial service until after the new year.
Condolences can be sent to Rich’s wife, Pat at this address:
Patricia Wecker
120 Elm St.
South Dartmouth, MA 02748
Rich’s brother Mike is also part of our NYLIC family as an agent in the Santa Clara office. Condolences can be sent to Mike at this address:
Mike Wecker
25465 Via Mariquita
Carmel, CA 93923
Please keep Rich’s loved ones in your thoughts during this difficult time.
With Warm Regards,
Morris
RMC President
Dear RMC Members,
It is with a sadness that I share the news that former RMC member, John Begley, passed away on Saturday, October 11, 2024. He is survived by his wife Margaret "Peggy" (Coffey) Begley. They were married 53 years.
He retired as a managing partner. John was active in many professional organizations during his career with New York Life, including serving as past president of the Scranton Association of Life Underwriters, The Northeastern Pennsylvania chapter of CLU and ChFC, The Estate Planning Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania and Scranton Rotary.
The funeral was held on Saturday, October 18th at 10:00 am at Our Lady of the Snows Church, 301 S. State Street, Clarks Summit with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated. Interment to follow at Hickory Grove Cemetery, Waverly Township. The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday from 4-7pm at Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Service, Inc., 111 Colburn Avenue, Clarks Summit.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Hospice of the Sacred Heart 30 ED Preate Dr. Moosic, PA 18507 or Our Lady of Snows Church 301 S. State Street, Clarks Summit, PA 18411.
You may read his obituary here...
In Remembrance,
Morris
RMC President
Dear RMC Members,
It is with a sadness that I share the news that Kulbhusan (K.B.) Sareen – legendary former Managing Partner of the Greater San Francisco office – passed away on Saturday, August 3, 2024.
K.B. is survived by his wife Shashi, his daughter Tanya and her husband Joel Adolphson, and his granddaughter Jade, whose father Taj, a Major in the Marines, was killed in a fighter jet crash in 2015.
Born in Calcutta, K.B. arrived in America in 1980 and was, by his own words, “determined to make it.” After brief stints in the restaurant industry – working as a dishwasher, busboy, waiter, and bartender – K.B. became an agent with New York Life in 1984.
Between 1984 and 1987, K.B. qualified for Council three times. He then moved into management and quickly up the ranks, becoming the Managing Partner of the San Mateo office in 1990. Under his leadership, the office captured several trophies, including the 1994 Chairman’s Trophy. K.B. was also elected by his peers to represent them on the Managing Partners Advisory Committee (MPAC).
In 2002, he became the Managing Partner of the Greater San Francisco office, where his office once again won several trophies. He also helped develop the Chinese and Vietnamese markets in the Bay Area. In 2012, K.B. became a Lifetime Member of the Partners Round Table.
K.B. was known to all for his warm nature and sense of humor, as well as his passion for helping agents, clients, the South Asian community at New York Life, and those around him in the broader community. He was also part of a study group with several longtime New York Life Managing Partners for many years. The impact he made on them and so many others at New York Life will continue to be felt for a long time to come. He was an active member of our club for many years and served on the board of directors.
In his spare time, K.B. was also an owner and breeder of thoroughbred horses in California, claiming several wins in significant races. Many of you may remember the presentation he made for us at an annual reunion.
Condolences to the family may also be sent to rememberingkb@gmail.com. Please keep K.B.’s family and loved ones in your thoughts during this difficult time.
In Remembrance,
Georgia
RMC President
Dear RMC Members,
I am sorry to report that RMC member, Steve T. Kattke, age 77, of Hopkins, Minnesota passed away on April 22, 2024, after a brief illness. Steve was hired as an agent for New York Life in 1972, at the South Dakota GO. He became a Partner in 1974 and was promoted to Managing Partner in 1978. In the years that followed, he served as Managing Partner in several offices including West Texas, South Dakota, Oklahoma City, and Minnesota.
In 1982, Steve and the Midland office won the Chairman’s Trophy, the top honor awarded to a General Office. He also qualified for the Partners Round Table four times.
Steve was known as a real gentleman and generous soul, always putting family, friends, faith, and country above all else.
Steve is survived by his wife of 52 years, Vicki; daughter Gretchen (Philip) Baker; and son, Jon (Jocelyn) Kattke -- along with his 5 wonderful grandchildren: Graham, Charles, Henry, Hunter, and Cru. You may read his obituary here...
In his memory,
Georgia
RMC President
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