Richard Altobelli, known all over Pelham as “Richie Bell,” was released from Wartburg May 8 after 21 days spent in the Covid-19 rehab unit, Wartburg said in a press release Monday.

Bell, 89, was admitted to the nursing home on April 17 from White Plains Hospital, where he was diagnosed with Covid-19. Altobelli was asymptomatic throughout the infection and rebuilt his strength and endurance with the guidance of physical and occupational therapists, Wartburg said.

“After beating the virus at Wartburg, doctors, nursing staff and therapists gathered as Altobelli was discharged to his home with family,” the nursing home said in a statement. He is the 12th recovered Covid-19 patient to leave the nursing home.

“Wartburg restored me with the strength I needed to get back on my feet and home safely,” Altobelli said in the release.

Altobelli, owner of Village Wine and Liquor, is a legend in the Pelham community as a business and political leader. He has had a relationship with Wartburg for decades. He coached basketball with the orphans who once lived on the campus, and in recent years, he donated pumpkins and seasonal flowers from his farm in upstate New York.

Joan Altobelli, Richard Altobelli’s wife, died April 26 from cancer.

“Wartburg’s dedicated employees have worked tirelessly to treat patients during the pandemic,” David Gentner, Wartburg’s president-CEO, said in the release. “Their dedication, especially in such trying circumstances as a pandemic, is worthy of a hero’s praise.”

“Wartburg therapists and staff were great throughout my stay and kept my family informed of my progress,” said Altobelli.

“They arranged for conversations by FaceTime,” said Altobelli’s daughter Lois Soccodato.