DELMAR – Dr. Henry Antonio Camperlengo passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on Friday, November 15, 2019 at the age of 86. Henry was born on January 24, 1933 in Brooklyn, New York to Enrico Paolo Amerigo Vespucci and Pasqualena (Gragnano) Camperlengo. He graduated from New Utrecht High School in 1950, Brooklyn College in 1954 and Albany Medical College in 1958. Henry practiced psychiatry in the Albany area since 1962 through his private practice and as a consultant forensic psychiatrist. In addition, Henry enjoyed his role as Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Albany Medical Center from 1962-1982, where he received two Golden Apple awards (1963 and 1967) for excellence in teaching and was Co-Founder of the American Academy of Psychiatrists for the Treatment of Alcoholism and Drug Addiction and was appointed by Governor Rockefeller to the State Counsel of Alcoholism in 1968. Henry Camperlengo served in the United States Army Medical Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel from 1960-1970, during which time he founded the Alcoholism and Treatment Information Center for the 346th General Hospital staff. He is remembered by his friends and family as a storyteller, talented musician, chef, historian, world traveler, healer and as Superman. “I am a Cesar in my own country”.
Henry is survived by his wife Mary Ellen (Papandrea); his children Lena, Nina, Vanessa, Aleta and Michael; grandchildren Elexa, Anton, Lucia, Ean, Anastasia, Charles Alexander, Amalia, Esmee, Isabella, Nadezhda, Megan, Jake and great-grandson Dean Luca.
Funeral services will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Wednesday morning at 10:00 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. Entombment will be in Our Lady Help of Christians Cemetery, Glenmont. To leave a message of condolence for the family or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.
Melissa
Godspeed ahead Dr. Camperlango. You saved my life. Thank you
Ginny Leitch
Being a graduate of Albany Medical Center School of Nursing, I had to do a Psych rotation on E2 and E3 back in 1967. I remember Dr. Camperlengo well. He was always smiling and had something humorous to say to the staff. I also remember that he was ‘down to earth’ and had a good relationship with his patients. I continued to work on Pediatrics at AMC until 1986, and whenever I passed Dr. Camperlengo in the corridors, he always had a huge smile and a ‘Hello’!
My condolences to the Camperlengo family.
Pam LaCasio
Mary Ellen, I am so very sad to hear of your loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers and will continue to be. With sympathy and much love, Pam and Tennyson LaCasio
Michele Meier
Dear Mary Ellen,
Please know that I am thinking of you and your family and I am so very sorry for your loss…
Michele Meier
Stratford Fire Chief Robert J. McGrath
Michael, I am sorry to hear of your father’s passing and offer my heartfelt condolences to you and your entire family at this time.
Margaret Lucas
Mary Ellen, I am so sorry for your loss. Wishing you peace, comfort and loving hugs as you remember Henry. You and your family are in prayers.
Margaret
Ann Marie Lizzi
The Dr. Camperlengo family lived across the street from us when we were growing up. He was friends with my father, as they knew each other from Albany Med. Our families were friends. Henry was always larger than life. Always had a warm smile and a festive household. Michael and all… we are so very sorry for the loss of your father. My sister and I remember you all very fondly and I miss those old days back on Roland Drive. My father and mother greatly enjoyed Henry’s friendship and that of your mother’s. I hope your father and my parents have a wonderful visit in Heaven. Best regards and our deepest condolences. Ann Marie and Andrea Lizzi
Trish(Bekaert)Regan...R.N.
I was honored to work with Dr. Camperlingo as nurse manager of E2 late 70’s into the 80’s…..He truly cared about his patients and their families. He was a pleasure to work with and always cared about the staff,frequently asking how their day was going. He was a wonderful psychiatrist, a valued co worker and a very caring human being….The field of Psychiatry has lost someone who truly played a huge role in how psych patients and families were treated ,with dignity and respect. I feel honored to have worked with him..He was a great human being and practitioner…….Fly high my friend….rest in peace ,knowing how many lives you changed for the better….
Jon Gottfried
Mike,
I was so sorry to hear of your fathers passing. When we talked last Friday, I believe it was a blessing that your dad did not languish and suffer for a very long period of time. Reading your Dads obituary and his distinguished medical background, it reminded me of my father who had an equally distinguished career as a doctor and how much I miss him to this day. You will have your moments going forward I am sure! Your Dad appeared to have had a long and impressive life, and he as a highly educated physician certainly was responsible for improving the lives of his patients and students over his many years in the medical field.
Knowing and working with you these past eight years, I am honored to have worked with such a kind and intelligent person. No doubt your Dad did an excellent job preparing you for adulthood.
Condolences
Laura Hunt
Dear Mary Ellen,
What a wonderful life so many great times
Adventures ..
Most people wait a lifetime for that to happen
A well lived and respected life
My Gratitude to all that you and Henry have done to care for this Albany community. I am most grateful for the love given to flourish Pinnacle Behavioral Health from your hearts.
Love
Laura Hunt
Bill Leicht
Dear Mary Ellen and Family,
we pray that God will give you peace that passes all understanding.
know that you are all loved and in our prayers.
Blessings, Bill and Dotty Leicht
Jim & Claire Meade
Mary Ellen & the rest of the Camperlengo family:
We are deeply sadden to hear of your recent loss and hope you find comfort in knowing that your spouse and father is not longer suffering on this earth but rather enjoying the peace and comfort
of the Lord in heaven. Please accept our condolences and we shall keep you all in our thoughts and prayers that this time of grief passes quickly. Henry will be remembered fondly in our memories.
Jim and Claire Meade
Sarasota, Florida
Nick Pandolfo
Dear Maryellen & Family…
We are very sorry to hear of the passing of Henry.
He was a wonderful man and we shall miss his warmth and his wit, and we’re sure you will, as well.
Take good care…
Teresita & Nick Pandolfo
Chris Pomilio
To the entire Camperlengo family, and especially Mary Ellen and Mike-I’m very sorry for your loss. It’s hard to believe that over 30 years have passed since I first became Henry’s tenant at 69 South Allen. He had a greater zest for life than most people you could ever hope to meet-music, art, reading, good food and wine, travel-you name it. And beyond his accomplishments as a physician and a psychiatrist, he was a genuine intellectual who could speak authoritatively on any number of subjects, such as history, to cite one example. We had many discussions in that area, though in reality I mostly listened and learned. I also enjoyed his stories about growing up in Little Italy and later Brooklyn, and his father’s experiences on the NYPD. I regret that my parents, both gone for some time now, never got to meet him. I think they would have had a lot to talk about, especially as regards growing up Italian-American in the years before and during WW2.
I will always think of Henry as someone who understood that we only get one life, and who proceeded to live his accordingly. Again, my condolences for your loss.
Chris Pomilio
Quincy, MA