Obituary of John J. Schaldone

Diamond Point: John J. Schaldone, 88, passed away peacefully April 10, 2011 at home. Born April 18, 1922 in Fort Edward, he was the son of the late Vincenzo “Jim” and Nina (Rovella) Scialdone. John began his distinguished engineering career in 1939, where he designed and built a winning soap box derby car that eventually placed 2nd in the National Soap Box Derby finals in Akron, OH. John attended St. Mary’s Academy in Glens Falls where he was a star football player. Upon his graduation in 1940, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He served aboard the USS Greer as a boatswain mate and underwater welder through WWII, before his honorable discharge in 1945. On April 3, 1945 John married Helen Pattee at St. Mary’s Church in Glens Falls. They couple shared 28 wonderful years together before Helen’s passing in 1974. John remained very involved in athletics throughout the majority of his life. He was an active cyclist and speed skater. He was a star football player and upon his return from his military service, he played semi-pro football for the Greenjackets and the Golden Commodores. A few of John’s favorite past times include; archery, boating, bowling, fishing, golfing, hiking, cross-country skiing, stone working, and oil painting. He also had a love of animals, especially horses and best friends Bode and Emma. John worked as a Process Engineer for DeCora Corp. in Fort Edward. He retired in 1987 after 44 years of dedicated service. Besides his parents and his beloved wife of 28 years, John is predeceased by his brother, Robert Schaldone. He leaves behind his son, James Schaldone and his wife, Sharon of Diamond Point; daughter, Judith Rozell of South Glens Falls; grandson, Justin Schaldone and his wife, Nicole; granddaughters, Jessica Schaldone and her companion Shawn Paynter, and Amy Yip and her husband, Sidney; great-granddaughter, Natalia Yip; a sister, Dorothy Schaldone of Berkley, CA; nephews, William O’Connor and his wife, Leslie, and Stephen O’Connor and his wife, Mary; sister-in-law, Pat Pattee; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Friends may call on John’s family from 5 to 7 pm Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at Alexander-Baker Funeral Home, 3809 Main Street, Warrensburg. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 am, Thursday, April 14th at St. Cecilia’s Roman Catholic Church, 3802 Main St., Warrensburg with Father Paul Cox, officiating. Rite of Committal will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in South Glens Falls. John’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Warren County Health Service nurse, Lisa Morton and the Greater Adirondack Home Aids, Stephanie Wood and Heather Monroe for the exceptional care and compassion they gave to John during his illness. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations in John’s memory to the Saint Cecilia’s Building Fund or to the American Cancer Society. Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guest book, condolences, and directions.