Robert D. Curtin
October 29, 2009
SCHENECTADY – Robert D. Curtin, 72, of Scotia, formerly of Albany, died Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at Ellis Hospital. Bob is survived by his sister Cathy Rudzinski and her husband Tim; his children Daniel, Jennifer and Robert Curtin; his nieces Barbara Spaulding and Danielle Rolfe; his nephew Tim Rudzinski, Jr.; his great nephews Daniel, Andrew & Matthew Spaulding; and his best buddy Eddie Kleinfeld.
Funeral services will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Saturday morning at 8:15, and from there to Blessed Sacrament Church, 607 Central Ave., Albany at 9:00. Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home Friday from 4-7 p.m. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands. To leave a message of condolence for the family, or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.
Aldo P. Zanotta
October 23, 2009
ALBANY – Aldo Paul Zanotta, 86 years old, passed away early on the morning of Friday, October 23, 2009. Aldo served in the US Army from 1943 – 1946, and was deployed in the South Pacific during WWII. He had a long and prosperous career at the Watervliet Arsenal for 35 years where he was Chief of Production Planning for a decade. Prior to that position Aldo was the Superintendent for the Manufacturing Maintenance Division. He served as a value engineer identifying improved processes and cost savings. Aldo also worked to develop prototype and initial production set up for new products for the US Army. He received numerous awards and recognition throughout his career including Five Letters of Commendation, Four Letters of Appreciation, Sustained Superior Performance Levels, Suggestion Awards, and Quality Step recognition. General Westmoreland and other Generals personally recognized Aldo for his contributions that improved products and reduced costs for the Federal Government.
Aldo was loved by his family, friends and community. He was an active member of the YMCA, Italian American Community Center and their bocce ball league, and a parishioner of Christ the King Church. Aldo and his wife Anne have lived for the last several years at Avilia, where Aldo organized social events that many residents still look forward to each week.
Aldo will be greatly missed by his family and friends as they mourn his death and celebrate his life. He was a special husband and father who loved life and never stop learning and discovering. Aldo enjoyed golf, swimming, fishing and playing cards. The family wants to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at St Peters Hospital’s cardiac unit for the love, kindness and wonderful care of our beloved father.
Aldo was the son of the late Julius and Eugenia Columbo Zanotta. He was the beloved husband of Anne Tarzio Zanotta (happily married for 62 wonderful years); father to Kathleen Eugenia Zanotta Leone and Paul Aldo Zanotta; father-in-law to Ray Leone and Julie Zanotta; grandfather to Jennifer Driscoll, Rachel Zanotta, Lauren Zanotta, Trudi Leone Lord and Jonathan Leone; brother of the late Alfreda, Alfred and Andrew Zanotta; brother –in-law of Ambrose and Terry Rinaldi, Jim and Tillie Duncan and the late Dominic Tarzio and dozens of favorite nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Monday morning at 9:00, and from there to Chist the King Church, Sumter Ave., Guilderland at 10:00. Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home Sunday from 4-7 p.m. The parish family of Christ the King Church will gather at 4:30 pm for a service of prayer and remembrance. All are welcome. Interment will be held privately at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests those desiring may send their remembrance in Aldo’s name to St Peter’s Hospital Cardiac Unit, 315 South Manning Blvd, Albany, NY 12208. To leave a message of condolence for the family, or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.
Charlie A. Zee
October 14, 2009
ALBANY – Charlie Zee, formerly of Liberty, NY and a resident of Albany for 25 years, passed away on Wednesday, October 14, 2009. He was born in China on September 18, 1919, leaving home at age 17 to work as a merchant marine. Charlie served in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1949 in air transport and was stationed in Norfolk before serving overseas in Guam and Shanghai. After the Navy, he settled in NYC. He moved to Liberty to work full time for Grossinger’s Hotel where he worked for 25 years before retiring. He was a member of the Clarence V. Hoyt VFW Post 9217 and Hotel Restaurant and Bartenders Union Local 76. Charlie received his high school diploma from Shaker High school in Colonie in May, 2001, as part of the State of New York’s recognition of our WW II veterans.
Charlie is survived by his four children: Richard (Haley) of San Diego, Donald (Patricia) of Albany, Florence (Robert) Sena of Orlando, and Teddy of Los Angeles, and two granddaughters, Katherine and Mia of Los Angeles. He is also survived by his two sisters, Hai Ying Lee and Sue Ying Yang, both of Queens, NY. He was predeceased by his wife, Chu Yue.
Calling hours will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, on Friday from 4-7 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited. Burial will be held privately on Saturday in Paramus, NJ. To leave a message of condolence for the family, view or print a memorial card, or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com .
Erna J. Courtney
October 13, 2009
GUILDERLAND – Erna Jean Courtney, 76, daughter of the late Thomas and Marie (Bauer) Courtney, left us on October 7, 2009. Erna grew up in the South End of Albany, regaling the neighborhood kids with stories based on books she’d read. An avid reader and engaging storyteller with a wonderful sense of humor, Erna married her high school sweetheart Dick Coffey, and moved to live with him on a U.S. Marine base in Florida, where her son Ricky was born. After an amicable divorce, Erna moved back to Albany with Ricky and worked as manager of Pearl Grant Richman’s in Stuyvesant Plaza shopping mall. A natural beauty, Erna also modeled in New York City and Albany. She subsequently married Robert Brownstein and pursued her artistic interests, becoming a poet, an award-winning artist, sculptress, and a successful interior decorator. Following the birth of her second son, Alex, Erna briefly worked as a real estate broker but ultimately returned to her real passion – art — as a maker of antique porcelain doll reproductions. Following a divorce, Erna served the Catholic community via ministry with the Carmelite order, and later retired to become an antique dealer — a profession she stayed in throughout the rest of her life. Erna was a witty, spiritual, and creative soul. She was a devoted mother, daughter, and grandmother who could always be relied upon and aways put her family first. She will be sorely missed.
Erna leaves behind two sons, Richard Coffey of Port St. Lucie, Florida, and Alex Brownstein of Niskayuna, New York; her daughter-in-law, Walda Chesnut-Brownstein, and a much beloved granddaughter, Amelia Rae Brownstein, 8 years old. Erna had spent the entire day with Amelia on September 28 (whom she called “Little Luv”), playing games, laughing, drinking tea, and talking about times past. She is also survived by her brother, Thomas Courtney Jr., of Cherry Point, North Carolina, and her sister, Barbara Denkhaus, of Rockledge, Florida.
An entombment service will be held at the mausoleum in Our Lady Help of Christians Cemetery, 41 Jolley Road, Glenmont, NY 12007 at 1pm on Monday, October 12, 2009. Relatives and friends are invited. To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.
Morgan B. James, Sr.
October 9, 2009
ALBANY – Morgan B. James, Sr., 84, of Albany, died Thursday, October 8, 2009 at the Stratton DVA Medical Center in Albany. Mr. James was born in Albany and lived here all his life. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a machine gunner with the 179th Infantry Regiment of the 45th Infantry Division. He landed at a beach head in Anzio, Italy, and moved on to Rome, Southern France and Germany, and was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries received in battle. He worked as an electrician for many years and was a member of the IBEW Local 724/236 for over 60 years. A dedicated family man, his family was the center of his life. He and his family enjoyed camping at Fish Creek Pond. He was a life member of the Boyd Hilton VFW Post 7062, and the American Legion Post 977 of Altamont. He also was a member of the William J. Lasch DAV #10, AARP #78, and the Local 724 Retirees Club.
Mr. James is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Marilyn Barber James; his children Virginia Gould James of Colonie, Morgan B. James, Jr. (Mary) of Altamont, and David James of Albany; his brother William James, Jr. (Jane) of Guilderland; his grandchildren Jill Gould Roarke (John) of Troy, Tracy Gould Phoenix (Paul) of Colonie; his great grandchildren Briley and Liam Roarke, and Jayden Morgan Phoenix and Ashlyn Phoenix; and by several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Monday morning at 10:00. Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home Sunday from 4-7 p.m. Interment will be in Memory’s Garden, Colonie. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimers Association of NENY, 85 Watervliet Ave., Albany, NY 12206. To leave a message of condolence for the family, view or print a prayer card, or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.