Alex Relyea Is Playing the Final Round

Alex at The Portsmouth Open

Many here in Vermont and New England know FIDE International Arbiter and chess promoter Alex Relyea having played in tournaments organized and officiated by Alex along with his wife Nita Patel.  Sadly, Alex is now in hospice care and is not expected to live much longer. Nita tells me that he is at peace and being visited by family.  Alex has struggled since his 20's (he's now in his 40's) with diabetes that was problematic to control. His struggle became increasingly difficult and tiring over the years.  He was facing the prospect of another debilitating infection in an extremity and has opted to enter palliative hospice care.  

Alex's presence in Vermont chess will be missed.  In the time that I have been living in Lyndonville, VT since 2014, Alex has promoted the Burlington Open (2015), Lyndonville Quick (2016), Danville Open (2017), Vermont Open (2017) and the St. Johnsbury Open (2020). 

I have known Alex since 2007 and served with him on the Board of the Massachusetts Chess Association.  I have never met a kinder human being on this plane of existence.  I will soon miss him deeply here as a friend when he passes to the next plane.