Remembering family and friends
A roundup of notices and services. Look for additional recent obituaries on this newspaper’s website.
Alma Hill Hansen
MENANDS - Alma Doran Hill Hansen, age 90, passed away April 11, 2017 at her home. Born in Troy, she was the daughter of the late Daniel J. and Helen Shea Doran. Alma was a graduate of the Academy of the Holy Names, Class of 1943, and of the College of Mount St. Vincent in 1947.
Returning to school after the death of her first husband, Benjamin T. Hill, Jr., Alma received her Masters Degree in Special Education from The College of Saint Rose in 1973. During her time at Saint Rose she was selected as a member of the National Honor Society Delta Epsilon Sigma.
For many years, Alma worked for the state of New York Education department as special education teacher and program coordinator. Upon her retirement, she continued to be involved in the autistic community, working as a tutor with her grandson, Johnny, who is an individual with Autism.
Alma enjoyed a variety of interests, including playing bridge with: the girls” at the Cohoes Senior Center, swimming at Wolfert’s Roost Country Club where she was a long-time member, and investigating her Irish Heritage of which she was incredibly proud. A life-long Democrat, she avidly followed politics.
In addition to her parents, Alma was pre-deceased by her brother, Paul J. Doran, and her husbands, Benjamin T. Hill, Jr. and Arthur E. Hansen. She is survived by her daughters, Maryanne Hill and Julie Hill Curran , and by her grandchildren, Joseph and John Hassett, Kathryn Hill and Stephen Servizio.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at the Historic Church of St. Mary’s, Albany, Tues- day, April 18th at 9:00 AM. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the McVeigh Funeral Home, Monday, April 17th from 4-7 pm. Interment will immediate follow the Mass at Calvary Cemetery, Glenmont, NY.
Those wishing to remember Alma in a special way may send contributions to Friendship House, 458 Main St., Norwell, MA 02061 or Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Ave., Menands, NY 12204.
Emil R.R Leahy
TROY - Emil R. Leahy, age, 64, of Troy passed away on Monday, April 10, 2017. Born on March 31, 1953 in Troy, he was the son of the late Joseph V. and Catherine Durand Leahy. He was predeceased by his brother Anthony E. Leahy.
Emil retired as a detec tive with the Troy Police Dept. and worked security at Russell Sage College for many years and he most recently worked for the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Dept.
Emil owned and operated Leahy Alarm Systems for many years. Along with his brothers, he owned Leahy’s Limousine and Livery Service and brought the first white limousine to the area.
He is survived by his brothers Joseph V. (Shirley) Leahy Jr., James P. (Deborah) Leahy, sister-inlaw Dana Lasher, nieces and nephews, Kelly Leahy (Eric) Catricala, Joseph V. (Terrance Marr) Leahy, Colleen M. Leahy ( Vincent) Verro, William D. (Joanne) Leahy, Sarah C. Leahy (Casey) Childs, Christopher J. Leahy, and Lauren D. (Kevin Bruso) Leahy. He is also survived by great nieces and nephews Kaleb Joseph Catricala, Joseph Travers Verro, Anthony James Verro, Victoria Sigala Leahy, William Frederick, Reilly Christian, and Alexis Lee Leahy, and many cousins; especially his cousin Shirly Leahy, whom he thought of as his sister.
Calling hours will be held on Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Wm. Leahy Funeral Home, 336 3rd St., in Troy, with a funeral mass Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church. Burial will be in St. Agnes Cemeteryy in Menands.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation by going to http:// www. jdrf. org/do - nate/.
Patricia A. Hansbury
TROY - Patricia A. Hansbury, 75, entered into eternal life on Wednesday April 12, 2017.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 11 am in the Wm. Leahy Funeral Home..
Family and friends are invited and may call on Saturday morning from 9 – 11 am.
Richard “Dick” Cardinal
QUEENSBURY - Richard “Dick” Cardinal entered into the arms of our Lord on March 30, 2017. Richard was born in Troy, NY on June 26, 1936. He attended St. Joseph’s parochial school and graduated from LaSalle Institute, both in Troy, NY. He was a graduate of Empire State College with an Associate’s degree in Labor Studies as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts with a major in Sociology of Work. He also attended Trinity College Graduate School in Hartford, CT.
Richard married Patricia Berrigan- Cardinal on February 12, 1955 at St. Jo- seph’s Church in Troy. They shared 62 years together and raised four children.
Dick began his career when he was hired into the Ford Motor Company, Green Island, NY on August 5, 1955. He was elected Financial Secretary of Local 930 in 1956 and President and Plant Chairman in 1965, then reelected in 1967. In 1965 Dick represented Ford worker’s as Vice President to the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions in Mexico City. He was also fortunate to work with Robert Kennedy during his run for President during the 1968 election campaign.
Dick was appointed as Vice President Ken Bannon’s representative to the ICFTU World Conference in 1965 and in October was appointed by UAW President Walter P. Reuther as an International Representative assigned to organizing the Boston office, being transferred to Connecticut as an International Representative assigned to collective bargaining. Dick represented Local 930 on the Ford Sub- Council #6 and served as a member of the UAW TOP Committee during the 1967 Ford strike, representing the Sub- Council. Dick served as Assistant Director of Region 9A from 1984 through 1986 and in 1990 he became Assistant Regional Director of the New York, New England region. In 1997 Dick was appointed Director of Education in Region 9A.
Dick dedicated his entire adult life to helping workers obtain benefits and safe working conditions in the workplace. He had extensive experience in Occupational Health and Disease. Dick was instrumental in protecting and educating worker’s to health hazards in the workplace, particularly on air borne lead, which in no small way contributed to the present OSHA standard on lead as well as hands on experience in conducting cancer morbidity studies in UAW plants within the bearing industry.
In addition, Dick was a member of a multitude of organizations including the NAACP New Ha- ven Chapter; Tri- City Area United Way Director-Labor Division; Labor Representative on the Litchfield County “Career Education” Board of Directors; Advisory Board, Blue Cross/ Blue Shield of Northeastern New York; Connecticut Golf Association; Member of Board of Director’s Greenwoods Country Club as well as Treasurer; Forever Wild Advisory Board Adirondack Park and Recreation Association; IAABO-Adirondack Chapter (Basketball Officials); the Basin Harbor Marine Historical Museum Association. He was a coach for Little League, Babe Ruth, Pop Warner Football and Midget Basketball programs while residing in Saratoga Springs, NY.
Dick was an avid reader and enjoyed books primarily on History. He read the NY Times front to back every day. He was a lifelong fan of the Red Sox and the NY Giants. He looked forward to March Madness every year and loved to watch the UCONN Men and Women’s Basketball teams. His den at home contains an extensive library on history and the history of Labor Unions. He was a wealth of knowledge in labor unions, collective bargaining, arbitration and labor laws.
Richard was predeased by his beloved wife, Patricia Berrigan- Cardinal who passed on 12/26/16. His parents, Joseph and Mary Cardinal. Brothers, Joseph Cardinal, Thomas Cardinal, John (Jack) Cardinal, infant Robert Cardinal and his sister Mae Cardinal.
He was also predeased by nephews, Dana Cardinal, William Berrigan, David Optiz, infant Stas Opitz and niece Dawna Berrigan.
Left to grieve his passing are his four children, Jill Cardinal- Williams and her husband Steven of Winsted, CT, Gary Cardinal of Grove City, Ohio, Laurie Cardinal of Glens Falls, NY and Patricia Cardinal of Queensbury, NY. Dick also leaves behind his grandchildren, Devin (Marie) Pratt, Lee Cardinal and Kyle Cardinal as well as a great Grandchild Emmett.
He was the beloved Uncle to John and Sheri Opitz of Troy NY; Tim and Linda Weber of Wynantskill, NY; Donna Opitz of Old Chatham; NY, Barbara Opitz of Troy, NY; William and Betty Berrigan of Ballston Spa, NY; Betty Ann Hackett of Delmar, NY; Joseph and Leslie Cardinal of San Antonio, TX, John (Jack) and Kathy Cardinal of Wilmington, DE and Tom and Lynn Conroy of Carlsbad, CA. Dick also leaves behind many Nieces, Nephews, Great Nieces, Great Nephews, Cousins and Friends.
His children will be forever grateful for the wisdom, sense of humor, and teaching us to respect and be kind to everyone, no matter where they came from. We will always have the wonderful memories of magical holidays, especially Christmas. The trips to Storytown and every other kid’s park and museum within driving distance. And the camping trips to Lake George and Lake Champlain.
The family would like to acknowledge and thank the following people who assisted in the care of Richard during his illness; Dr. David Cunningham, GFH Nurses and Doctors. The staff of Fort Hudson Health Center as well as Kristy Kelly, RN, Jake Stoddard, LPN, Alyssa Keegan, OT, Dan Perry, PT and his private duty Aides; Terry Russo, Shawn Monroe and Alyssa Kelly. We would also like to send a special thank you to Lori Purvis who helped keep the house sparkling clean and was who was considered as a good friend.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in the future at the convenience of the family. Richard will be placed next to his wife, Patricia in the Saint Kateri Tekakwitha (Lily of the Mohawks) section of St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands.
The family is requesting donations be made in Richard’s name to the LaSalle Institute, Attn: Alumni Office, 174 Williams Road, Troy, NY 12180.