Obituary of Ronald G. Helie

Ronald G. Helie, 74, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at Albany Medical Center on March 31st, 2017. Ronald was born in Holyoke, MA and was the son of the late Alberic and Alice Helie. Following graduation from high school he briefly entered into the seminary at the Catholic University of America in 1961. After two years at St. Michael's College he transferred to UMass-Amherst where he received a Bachelors Degree in French. He also earned a Master's in Educational Administration and Supervision from Inter American University of San German, Puerto Rico. He then went on to earn a Post Graduate Degree in Secondary Administration and Supervision from the College of St. Rose as well as one in Teaching from SUNY Oswego. Ronald proudly served his country in the United States Air Force from 1966-1972. He married his beloved wife Rita on May 27, 1967 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Schenectady. Ronald worked from 1977 until 1994 as a Security and Environmental Health Manager at WECO/GE in Schenectady. After leaving GE, he became a French and substitute teacher in the Schenectady, Burnt Hills, and Ballston Spa School Districts. He also taught Criminal Justice at WSWHE BOCES in the Johnstown area. Ron enjoyed many hobbies including woodworking, reading, classical music, and crafting stained glass. As a term of endearment, he was referred to as a "walking encyclopedia" by his daughters and grandchildren. He was extremely knowledgeable and detail orientated and was also known as the "friendly neighborhood handyman". Ronald was a director/facilitator for Residents Encounter Christ-NYS Department of Correctional Services for 10 years. He was also very patriotic and most recently was an admired mentor for the Saratoga Veterans Peer to Peer Mentoring Program. Most of all, Ron was very proud of his family and loved nothing more than spending time with them. Ronald is survived by his loving wife, Rita Helie. His two daughters Renee (Robert) Wheelock and Denise (John Gorzycki) Stewart as well as his beloved grandchildren, who called him Poppi, Andre Millard, Mason Wheelock, Helena Stewart, Olivia Millard and Ryan Stewart also survive. Ron also leaves behind his sister-in-law, aka "the sister he never had," Armida Rigatti and several nieces and nephews both local and in Canada. He was predeceased by his brother-in-law George Rigatti. Calling hours will be held for Ronald on Friday April 7th from 10am-12:15 pm at the Glenville Funeral Home, 9 Glenridge Road, Glenville NY. Funeral services will follow at 12:30pm at the funeral home. Military honors will take place at 2:30pm at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville NY.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made towards the Helie Fund at The Pulmonary Care Department c/o Albany Medical Center Foundation 43 New Scotland Avenue, MC-119 Albany New York 12208. For more information please click on the DONATION button located on the left side of this webpage.