Obituary of Patrick Michael Albano

Patrick Michael Albano, a retired orthopedic surgeon who practiced in the Schenectady area for nearly 30 years, passed away at his home on Sunday, November 11th after several years of declining health. He had recently celebrated his 83^rd birthday at home with his beloved family. Born to Josephine and Dominic Albano at Brady Memorial Hospital in Albany, NY, Pat (then known as Rickie) grew up in Ravena, NY where he was active in the Boy Scouts, earning his Eagle Scout certification from Troop 67 in 1953. While attending Christian Brothers Academy in Albany he played trumpet in the school's marching band, taught swimming lessons for the American Red Cross and was a summer lifeguard in the Ravena area. In 1957 he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Fordham University and then went on to earn his medical degree from Loyola University's Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago, IL. It was during this time in Chicago that he met Mary T. McCarthy. They were married soon after he graduated from Loyola in 1961 and moved to California, where Pat began an internship and a transitional year in general surgery at San Bernardino County Hospital. In 1963, soon after the Cuban missile crisis, Pat joined the U.S. Army and was stationed at the Pentagon Dispensary in Washington, D.C.

Over the next 8 years Pat, Mary and their growing family made repeated cross country moves to accommodate Pat's Army assignments. These included a residency in orthopedic surgery at Letterman General Army Hospital in San Francisco and one year at Crippled Children's Hospital in Phoenix, AZ. After completing his residency, he was assigned to the 29^th Evacuation Hospital in Vietnam from 1968-1969 (for which he was awarded the Bronze Star), and then spent two years as Assistant Chief of Orthopedics at Ft. Gordon, GA. When he left the Army in 1971 as a Lt. Colonel, he moved with his family for one last time to East Glenville, NY.  He entered private practice in Schenectady and for many years treated patients at his office on Rosa Rd. as well as at Ellis and St. Clare's hospitals.

Among his favorite interests were fishing with his kids on Sacandaga Lake, photography (beginning in the dark room and ending with a proficiency with Photoshop), cooking and eating pasta, and playing cards. Although he was not much of a drinker, he relished the occasional dry Beefeater martini (one ice cube and one drop of vermouth) – especially during those,  (unfortunately) few times he was taking money from his friends and kids at the poker table. Above all, he was a family man who liked nothing better than to be at home – in “his chair” - surrounded by his kids and grandkids.

He is survived in his immediate family by his wife and best friend of 57 years Mary, sons David and Dan, daughters Beth (Perry) and Cathy (Okby), and 9 grandchildren (Melissa Terri Smith, Aaron Albano, Dominic Albano, Allison Perry, Amy Perry, Megan Perry, Ian Okby, Owen Okby, and Fiona Okby).

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, November 14^th from 4 to 7 PM at the Glenville Funeral Home, 9 Glenridge Rd. Funeral services conducted on Thursday, November 15^th at 11 AM at funeral home. Interment with military honors will be private at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice, 445 New Karner Road Albany NY 12205. Online condolences may be made at glenvillefuneralhome.com