Albert (Al) A. Verenazi SPENCERTOWN: Albert A Verenazi, 81, of Spencertown, NY passed away peacefully after a long battle with Parkinson's disease with his loving family by his side on June 16, 2013, Father's Day. Born on July 27, 1931 in Chatham, NY, he was the son of the late Gregory and Elizabeth Verenazi. Albert's parents bought a farm with a saw mill on Pratt Hill Road when he was a small child. He was a farmer for his entire life. He and his beloved wife, Claire, latter named the dairy farm, Butternut Creek Farm. When he sold his cows in 1971, Albert ran a Shell gas station on Rigor Hill Road, off the Taconic State Parkway. Shortly thereafter, he purchased a used dump truck from a neighbor and began his next career in excavation with his two sons, Gregory and Matthew. Albert attended the Spencertown Academy through 8th grade and continued on to Chatham High School, graduating in the class of 1949, where he played 6-man football. He was a Town of Austerlitz Councilman and a member of the Spencertown Fire Company, having just received his 45 year pin. Albert was very involved with his community and volunteered his talents and time, including his involvement in the Mountain 10 ski area in Austerlitz where he taught his family the love of skiing. Albert loved his family, friends and his farm. He enjoyed hunting, skiing and travel, having been to Italy two times to visit family still residing there. He was known to be a very honest, kind hearted, gentle man with an unforgettable smile, a wonderful sense of humor and hands as big as a baseball mitt. He was always whistling a tune where ever he went. Albert was predeceased by his parents, his sisters Jean, Virginia (Virgie), Della and Mary, his brother Frank, his nephews Frank Jr. and Dan and brother-in-law, Walter. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Claire Paddock Verenazi; his children Gregory Verenazi and his wife Pam of Chatham, NY, Lynne Michaels and her husband David of Kattskill Bay, NY and Matthew Verenazi and his wife Sandi of Chatham, NY; his sister Esther Anderson and her husband, Malcolm of Hudson, NY; sister- in-law Beryl and her husband Richard Zapp of Yorktown Heights, NY and sister-in-law Kathy Paddock of Pompano Beach, FL; family friend, Estelle Hawkins and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. He was "Poppy" to his beloved grand children, Glenn, Esther and Katie Verenazi; Benjamin and Kimberly Michaels; and Allyson, Erin and Grant Verenazi. Our family wishes to thank all the wonderful caregivers that helped us on this journey providing round the clock care and love: Kayla (Cara), Gladys, Mary, Lori, Debby, Abby, Kelly, Wendy and Maria as well as the many friends, family and neighbors who stopped in to visit. Without their help, Albert would not have been able to stay in his home and look out over his beautiful pond and fields. A memorial service will be held on Monday, July 1, 2013 at Saint James Catholic Church in Chatham, NY at 5:00 p.m.to celebrate Albert's life. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Spencertown Fire Company, Memorial Dr., Spencertown, NY 12165 or The Community Hospice of Columbia/Greene, 47 Liberty St., Catskill, NY 12414. For on-line condolences, visit wenkfuneralhome.com