Obituary of Michael J DeCata

Michael J. DeCata, 86, died after a short illness on December 23 at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, NY. His sons, Michael G. DeCata of Chicago, IL, and Stephen J. DeCata of Aldie, VA were by his side when he passed. Michael lived in Glenville, NY from 1986 until his death. Prior to that he lived on 7th Avenue in Schenectady, NY. Michael graduated from Mont Pleasant High School in 1948 and joined the United States Air Force in signals and communications. He was stationed in Sacramento, CA and Newfoundland, Canada. After this active duty, he served for years in the National Guard. After his service in the Air Force, he attended trade school and studied industrial photography. He joined General Electric after trade school as an industrial photographer at the Malta Test Facility in Malta, NY. Over the years he worked at the GE newspaper and at the GE Research & Development laboratory in Niskayuna, NY. He worked for General Electric for 36 years. Michael was married to Bonnie M. DeCata on September 23rd, 1956. Bonnie preceded Michael in death on May 2001. Michael was active in his later years as a member of the Empire State Aerospace Museum (ESAM). Mike also traveled extensively. He loved photographing the western US. He made several trips to Wyoming, Montana, Arizona, and New Mexico. He recently attended the Oshkosh Air Show in Oshkosh, WI. Michael is survived by his son, Michael G. DeCata; daughter-in-law, Debra J. Kullman; son, Stephen J. DeCata; daughter-in-law, Cathy M. DeCata; grandchildren, Michelle M. DeCata (Boston, MA), Jennifer L. DeCata (London, England), Matthew R. DeCata (Aldie, VA) and Amy L. O’Donnell (Odenton, MD). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday 9 a.m. from the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Saratoga Rd., Glenville with the Rev.Jerome Gingras officiating. Calling hours (Sunday) Dec. 27 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Glenvile Funeral Home. Interment with military honors at St. Cyril’s Cemetery, Rotterdam. Donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.