GUILDERLAND – Maria Isabel Alcala-Frasqueri, 88 of Guilderland, New York, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 13, 2012 at home surrounded by her loving family. Ms. Alcala-Frasqueri was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico on December 19, 1923. She graduated from Villa Maria College in Erie, Pennsylvania with a Bachelors Degree and earned her Masters in Science from the University of Puerto Rico, Recinto de Mayaguez. Her dissertation was “the Nature, Significance and Effect of Pasteurization on Psychrophilic Microorganism in Apparently Normal Milk in P.R”. She also completed graduate work at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. Her career started as a High School Science teacher, she also taught at Damas Hospital School of Nursing, and later became an Associate Professor of Biology, Microbiology and Anatomy and Physiology at Catholic University of Puerto Rico and then at the University of Puerto Rico, Recinto de Ponce where she was the Director of the Biology Department. She was a consultant to the Urology Medical Association of Ponce, and was a member of the Urologists Board Examiners. She championed many causes, amongst them AIDS Education and Control of Nosocomial Infections in Hospitals. She was one of the pioneers in developing Scientific Fairs for High School students in Puerto Rico, and was a member of the awards committee for ten years. Her passion for the pursuit of learning and higher education, especially in the Sciences, manifested in the many programs she created, or engaged in, to encourage young adults to pursue careers in Science related professions. She retired in 1987 and moved to Albany, New York to become a full time grandmother. Even though she cared for her sister Josephine for many years at home, she found time to volunteer at Our Lady of Mercy Life Center.  She was a communicant of St. Madeleine Sophie’s Parish in Guilderland, where she forged many friendships, especially with Lorraine De Cuyper who was her Eucharistic Minister throughout her illness. Although limited by her medical conditions, she travelled frequently to Conesus Lake, her favorite spot in New York, to “charge her batteries” and enjoyed many a time riding in “It Floats”, a very old pontoon boat that would accommodate her wheel chair. She was lovingly cared for by Dr. Ann Michalek, with whom she formed a special bond and by the many personal care aides from St. Peter’s Home Care, The Eddy, Interim Health Care and Community Hospice of Albany.

Ms. Alcala-Frasqueri is survived by her daughter Maria T. Vidal (William B. Day, who cared for her dotingly) of Guilderland, her loving son Julio Vidal of Latham and the apple of her eye, her grandson Julio R. Vidal of Philadelphia, Pa., as well as her goddaughter Alma and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her previous husband, father of her children and life-long friend Jose Angel Rodriguez, her children Jose Angel, Maria Asuncion and Maria Isabel, her Mom and Dad and eleven brothers and sisters.

There will be no calling hours. Relatives and friends are invited to a mass of Christian Burial on Friday, May 18th at 10 a.m. in St. Madeleine Sophie Parish in Guilderland. Entombment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Madeleine Sophie Parish, 3500 Carman Road, Schenectady, NY 12303.  Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hans Funeral Home, Albany.  To leave a message of condolence for the family, send a sympathy card, or obtain directions to the church, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.

Click here for directions to St. Madeleine Sophie Church.

ALBANY – Michael A. Cioffi, 87, of Albany, died Monday, May 14, 2012 at St. Peter’s Hospital.  Mr. Cioffi was born in Albany and lived here all his life.  He was a graduate of Philip Schuyler High School, and was the youngest person drafted into the service from the City of Albany during World War II.  He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the heavy cruiser USS Chester (CA-27) as a radarman. After the war, he opened Cioffi Automotive, a repair shop on Broadway in Albany, which he operated until retiring in 1988.  He was a member of the American Legion Zaloga Post 1520, a life member of the VFW Menands Memorial Post 5989, as well as a member of the Colonie Elks Lodge 2192.  He also was a communicant of St. Francis of Assisi Parish (formerly St. James Church) in Albany.

Mr. Cioffi was predeceased by his wife Margaret.  He is survived by his children Sharon Villamil (Keith) of Ballston Lake, Michael Cioffi (Julie) of Cohoes, Diane Cioffi of Cairo, and Tom Cioffi of Hudson Falls; his sister Linda “Dolly” Miller of Nassau; his grandchildren Elizabeth Villamil, Christopher Villamil (Tricia), Angelique Cioffi, Nicholas Cioffi (fiancé Amanda Traylor), and Matthew Cioffi; and great grandson Liam Christopher Villamil; and by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his siblings Erminia Cioppa, Annie Fink, Rose Russo, Silvio “Joe” Cioffi, Vincenza “Jennie” Morris, and Will Cioffi.

Funeral services will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Wednesday morning at 9:00, and from there to St. Francis of Assisi Church, 391 Delaware Ave. at St. James Place, Albany at 10:00.  Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home Tuesday from 4-7 p.m.  Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Glenmont.  To leave a message of condolence for the family, send a sympathy card, or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.

 Click here to view Mr. Cioffi’s resting place in Calvary Cemetery, Glenmont, New York.

ALBANY – Anthony F. Russo, 95, of Albany, died Tuesday, May 8, 2012, at home, surrounded by his loving family.  Anthony (Tony) was born in Albany, the son of the late Antonio and Carmela Aliberti Russo.  A lifelong resident of Albany, he served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and was employed by the U.S. Postal Service until his retirement in 1975.  He also was a former member of the Elks and a communicant of All Saints Catholic Church.  In his retirement, he developed a previously hidden talent for art, creating many beautiful paintings.  He also enjoyed cooking, serving and entertaining family and friends, but was never happier than when surrounded by his wife, children and, especially, his grandchildren.

Anthony is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Philomena DeFlorio Russo; his children Mary Ann Donnaruma (Walter) of Delmar, and Anthony F. Russo, Jr. (Maria) of Clifton Park; and his grandchildren Julia and Jacqueline Donnaruma, Anthony F. Russo, III and Christopher R. Russo, M.D. Anthony was predeceased by his sister, Josephine Graziano of Hudson Falls, NY.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in All Saints Catholic Church, Homestead St., Albany on Saturday, May 12  at 9:00 AM.  Interment will follow at St. Agnes Cemetery.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend.  There will be no calling hours.  To leave a message of condolence for the family or send a sympathy card please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.

Click here to view Anthony’s resting place in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands, NY.

ALBANY – Mary P. DiScipio Kavanaugh, 94, of Albany, died peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at the Teresian House.  Mrs. Kavanaugh was born in Albany, and lived here nearly all her life.  She was employed by the Colonial Dry Cleaners and by the New York State Dept. of Transportation.  She also was a communicant of the former St. Margaret Mary’s Church (now All Saints Catholic Church) for many years.

Mrs. Kavanaugh was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Bernard E. Kavanaugh, in 1997.  She is survived by her daughter Sandra Cipollo of Albany; her son Stephen B. Kavanaugh (Jeanette) of Guilderland; her sister Adelaide “Dot” Kot of Albany; seven grandchildren: Annmarie, Anthony (Sandra), Stacia (Kevin), Brigette (Steve), Joe (Kelly), George (Rebecca), and Katherine; and eleven great grandchildren: Nicholas, Alex, Ashley, Alec, Joe, Mike, Nina, Angelina, Antonio, Cashlin, and Calliope.  She was predeceased by her brothers, John and Peter DiScipio, and her sister Philomena Poggi.

Funeral services will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Monday morning at 8:15, and from there to All Saints Catholic Church, Homestead St., Albany, at 9:00.  Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m.  Interment will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Colonie.  The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Northeastern New York Chapter, 4 Pine West Plaza, Suite 405, Albany, NY 12205.  To leave a message of condolence for the family, send a sympathy card, or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.

Click here to view Mrs. Kavanaugh’s resting place in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Colonie, New York.

ALBANY – Mary Benoit Thibault, 71, of Albany, died Friday, April 20, 2012 at Albany Medical Center Hospital.  Mrs. Thibault was born in Albany on July 26, 1940, the daughter of the late Eleanor J. Smith and Arthur “Frenchie” Benoit.  She lived here all her life.  She was a graduate of Vincentian Institute; a 1961 graduate of the Albany Medical Center School of Nursing; and a 1988 graduate of Russell Sage College, where she was a member of the Russell Sage Honor Society.  She was employed by the Albany Medical Center Hospital, and by Central Nursing, and was also a travel agent for Custom Travel.

Mrs. Thibault is survived by her husband of 46 years, Gerald “Jake” Thibault; her daughters Judy Bazan (Bob), and Debbie Picerno (Luigi); her brother Arthur Benoit (Gail Matteo); her sister Dianne Zaloga; her grandchildren Luigi Picerno Jr. and Isabella Picerno; and by several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Wednesday morning at 8:15, and from there to All Saints Catholic Church, Homestead Street, Albany at 9:00.  Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home Tuesday from 4-7 p.m.  Interment will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Colonie.  To leave a message of condolence for the family, send a sympathy card, or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.

Click here to view Mrs. Thibault’s resting place in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Albany (Town of Colonie), New York.

ALBANY – Virginia E. Szalkowski, 82, of Albany, died Friday, April 20, 2012 at her home.  Mrs. Szalkowski was born in Vermont, and raised in Grand Isle, VT.  She lived in Albany most of  her life.  She was employed by the Price Chopper Supermarket in Albany, was a volunteer for several area charitable organizations, and was a member of the Polish American Citizens Club Ladies Auxiliary.  She also loved cats.

Mrs. Szalkowski was predeceased by her husband John P. Szalkowski in 1997, and by her son Steven P. Szalkowski in 2003.  She is survived by her sons Michael and Vincent of Albany, John F. of Clifton Park, and Mark of Treasure Island, FL; and by her grandsons Ryan and Tyler Szalkowski.

Funeral services will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Tuesday morning at 8:15, and from there to All Saints Catholic Church, Homestead St., Albany at 9:00.  Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home Monday from 4-7 p.m.  Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands.  To leave a message of condolence for the family, send a sympathy card, or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.

Click here to view Mrs. Szalkowski’s resting place in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands, New York.

ALBANY – Igor Leytman, 82, of Delmar, passed away on Saturday April 14, 2012 at Albany Medical Center Hospital after a brief illness.  Born December 27, 1929 in Leningrad, Russia to the late Vera and Innocenty Leytman, Igor was evacuated from Leningrad during the blockade of WWII in 1941.  After the war he returned to Leningrad to work briefly as a ship mechanic, then studied at the Leningrad Polytechnical Institute earning his PHD in Mechanical Engineering in 1971.  Igor went on to work with turbines, and he travelled extensively to help build electrical plants.  He and his family emigrated from Russia to the US in 1978, initially settling into Jersey City, New Jersey.  Igor relocated the family to Newburgh to work for Spence Engineering of Walden as a mechanical engineer until his retirement in 1995.

Igor is survived by his wife of 56 years, Dr. Anna Finebloot Leytman and daughter, Ludmila L. Gaffey.  Igor’s family grew in the US. Ludmila married John Gaffey of Albany, and produced two grandchildren, Clare and Rachel.  Igor cherished his granddaughters Clare and Rachel; he demonstrated great joy in their presence. He devoted time, patience and love to their development; they are both thriving accordingly.

Igor is also survived by his sister, Marina Kurzina and neice Elena Leytman and Elena’s sons, Misha and Daniel, all of Stockholm, Sweden.  All traveled from Sweden to Albany in 2009 to be with Igor for his 80th birthday celebration.

A person of great kindness, integrity, patience and vast intellectual interests, Igor attracted respect and goodwill from everyone who knew him.  Igor left behind an unpublished book of his theories on political and social evolution titled The Objective Laws Governing Social Transformations.  He was able to produce a web site that discusses some of these views.  His mind was sharp to the end.  We mourn his absence, but appreciate the presence he continues to have in our lives.  A private service will be held at Hans Funeral Home.  To leave a message of condolence for the family or send a sympathy card please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.

ALBANY – Charles F. Reinemann, 92, passed away peacefully Monday, April 16, 2012 at Barnwell Nursing Home, Valatie, NY surrounded by family members.  Charles was born in Albany, NY March 2, 1920, the son of the late Charles A. and Marion Frances Reinemann.  He was a graduate of the former Draper High School and a WWII veteran.  During WWII, Master Sergeant (Flight Engineer) Reinemann was a member of the 30th Bomb Group. This unit flew B-17s and was part of the Sixth Emergency Rescue Squad. Along with other decorations he was awarded the WWII Victory Medal with Bronze Star.  He retired as a maintenance mechanic for the Sun Oil Company after about 30 years.

Survivors include six children: Charles F. Jr. (Margaret) of Rexford, John R. (Claudia) of Averill Park, Ronald A. (Candy) of Cobleskill, Elizabeth J. Lewis (Norman) of Roanoke, Virginia, Anthony M. of New York City, and Patricia A. Gentile (Richard) of Troy; his two sisters Jeanne Champagne and Margaret Gammons; seventeen grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.  He was predeceased by his parents, his wife Mary Varga (1953), wife Dulcie McIntrye (1981), and his former wife Marguerite Paratore (1987).

Funeral services will be held Thursday morning at 10:00 a.m. at Hans Funeral Home. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands, NY.  In lieu of flowers, those who desire may make contributions to the charity of your choice.  To leave a message of condolence for the family, send a sympathy card, or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.

Click here to view the Mr. Reinemann’s resting place in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands, NY.

Click here to read “A Brief Summary of Charles Reinemann’s World War II Experiences.

PHOENIX, AZ – Therese J. “Terry” Stewart Frank, 84, of Albany, died Friday, April 6, 2012 in Phoenix, AZ, while visiting her daughter.  Mrs. Frank was born in Troy and was a graduate of Troy High.  She lived most of her life in Albany where she was employed by New York State for a time, and after raising her family was employed for many years by, and retired from the Treasurer’s Office of the City of Albany.  She was a communicant of the Parish of Mater Christi, and of the former St. Teresa of Avila Church, where she was a member of the Rosary Society.   She was active in voter registration in all elections, and worked the polls for many years.  She participated in league bowling, was a fan of all sports, and was an avid fan of the New York Yankees and Giants.  She especially enjoyed the company of her family and friends, and loved to attend dog shows with her sister and best friend Barbara Heck.

The Family would especially like to thank The Albany Regional Dialysis Center for all of their care and concern over the past year.

Mrs. Frank was predeceased by her husband Edward L. Frank and her son Thomas S. Frank.  She is survived by her son Edward L. “Larry” Frank (Elayne) of Albany; her daughters Susan B. Smith (Richard) of Buckeye, AZ, and Janette  Coluccio (Bernard) of The Villages, FL; her sisters Veronica Rafter of Cohoes, and Barbara Heck of Averill Park; her brother Stanley Stewart (Mildred) of Ballston Spa; and by many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday morning, April 20, 2012, in the Parish of Mater Christi, Hurst Ave., Albany, at 9:30am.  Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home Thursday April 19, 2012 from 4-7 p.m.  Interment will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Colonie.  The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Senior Services of Albany,   32 Essex St., Albany, NY 12206 Attn. Jane Schramm.  To leave a message of condolence for the family, send a sympathy card, or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.

Click here to view Mrs. Frank’s resting place in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Colonie, New York.

GLENVILLE, NY – Christine S. Caggiano of Glenville, NY, and Lewiston, NY, departed this world on Thursday, April 5, 2012, surrounded by her loving family after a courageous year long battle with cancer.  Born on July 16, 1954 in Utica, NY, she was the daughter of Rosemary Fleck (Harold), and the late Edward H. Guild.  For the past twenty five years Chris was employed at Powers and Santola LLC, where she leaves many good friends and co-workers.  Chris’s entire family will forever miss her carefree, easy manner, her quick wit and wonderful sense of humor, and her infectious laughter.

Christine is survived by her loving and devoted husband of thirty one years, Anthony A. Caggiano, her children, Ryan A. Caggiano, Juliana A. (Jordan) Cichy, Danielle N. (Colin Pillivant) Caggiano, and her adoring grandchildren, Brennan, Aven and Liam. She is also survived by her brother, David E. Guild and sisters, Kathleen A. (David) Good, Dawn M. (John) Roberts, Elizabeth J. (Michael) Snyder, Charmaine L. (Daniel) McMahon, Laurie S. (Tim Ryan) Guild, Holly M. (Kirk) Tuttle and Wendy L. (Garrett) Swearingen. She was pre-deceased by a sister, Mary Rose. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, two great-nieces, and one great-nephew.

In keeping with Chris’s generous and giving nature, she made a final gift of her body to The Albany Medical College Anatomical Gift Program, as well as donating her organs.  In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in her name to the American Cancer Society, or the charity of one’s choice. A memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family. There will be no prior visitation. Online remembrances may be made at www.hansfuneralhome.com .