Nichola J Gagliardi

Nichola J. Gagliardi, 74

Troy Nichola J. Gagliardi, 74 ,of Mountainview Avenue Troy, at rest after a long and courageous battle with cancer in the midst of his loving wife Kay and family, Tuesday, September 21, 2004 at Samaritan Hospital in Troy. He endured his illness with great courage and dignity. He loved all who so graciously cared for him.

Born in Troy, he was the son of the late Graziano Gagliardi and Irene (Zelenke) Gagliardi. and husband of Kathleen A. Glenhoff Gagliardi.

He had resided in Troy all his life and was educated at St. Mary's School in Troy and continued his education in the US Air Force.

Mr.Gagliardi was employed as a truck driver for Chemical Leahman Tank Lines in the Port of Albany for 27 years retiring in 1993, earning many awards including a 750,000 mile Safe Driver Award. He was a member of Teamsters Local 232.

As an avid bowler until November 2003, he was a member of the American Bowling Association and the Senior 700 Club where he received many awards including the ABC Over 125 Series Senior Award. He was a long time communicant of Sacred Heart Church and was an Air Force veteran of the Korean War with the rank of Staff Sargent stationed in Okinawa and the 810^thMotor Vehicle Squadron Air Division at Briggs Air Force Base in Texas.

Nick had a wonderful smile. He was confident and full of hope, loved life and spread love and joy wherever he went. His faithful companion, his German Shepherd, Betsy, was always at his side. He enjoyed music, art and woodworking, his home , yard and garden. A Mr. Fix-it, he shared his talents with his neighbors and friends.

Survivors in addition to his wife include two sons, Nichola W. (Tammy) Gagliardi of Troy and William E. (Juanita) LaPine of Durham, NC; three grandchildren, Lisa Marie Gagliardi-Smith

and Nicholas W. Gagliardi II both of St. Charles, MO and Kasandra L. Gagliardi of Troy; a sister, Elizabeth Gagliardi Gregg of Troy; a brother Paul J. Zelenke of Wynantskill; several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ellen (Spain) Gagliardi of Troy, Rose (Vanier) Gagliardi of Troy, Guy and Shirley (Glenhoff) Cunningham of Troy, Rosemary (Glenhoff) Mousseau of Latham, Nina (Glenhoff) Jolicoeur of Waterford, Margaret (Glenhoff) Griffiths of Ohio and; his special children who called him 'American Daddy', Yi Kuan Lee, Yi Cheng Chen and Charlene Tsai and so many extra special, loving and helpful nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors. He was predeceased by two brothers, Frank and Gus Gagliardi and a sister-in-law, Patricia A. (Glenhoff) McGrath.

Funeral service will be held Saturday at the 9:00 am from the Bryce Funeral Home Inc. 276 Pawling Avenue Troy and at 9:30 am from Sacred Heart Church in Troy were a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home Friday from 4-8 pm. Interment St. Mary's Cemetery, in Troy.

Contributions may be made in memory of Mr. Gagliardi to the Sacred Heart Church 310 Spring Avenue Troy, NY 12180 or the Samaritan Hospital Foundation for the Cancer Treatment Unit 2224 Burdett Avenue Troy, NY 12180. For a private family guest book and service directions, visit www.brycefh.com .

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