William J Caldwell

William J. Caldwell, 69

Eagle Mills - William J. Caldwell, 69, of Carriage Lane died Monday, October 15, 2012, at Samaritan Hospital surrounded by family and friends after a long illness.

Born in Troy, he was the eldest son of the late James E. Caldwell and Edith A. Duncan Caldwell. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years Mary Berghammer Caldwell, the only woman he ever truly loved. Bill's lifelong interest in all things electrical and mechanical began when as a young man he worked after school for Dan Paladino at the Troy Radio Shop on Fourth Street in Troy. He was a self taught expert in his field, never having attended college, but he was highly regarded and well respected by his colleagues in the communications industry. After graduating from Troy High School in 1960, Bill worked for RTA Distributors in Menands, a company he later purchased and built into Capital Digitronics, Inc. of Albany, a company specializing in customized communications systems for businesses, government and local police and fire departments. He was President until his retirement several years ago. Bill showed he was a true pioneer and visionary in the field when he purchased a mountain in the Helderbergs where he built one of the Capital District's first cell towers.

Bill was a member of the former Patroon Club of Troy, and he also enjoyed boating and airplanes. Bill was a truly generous man who never said no to his family and friends whenever they needed him. He had a tough exterior, but had a soft heart, especially for his dogs and cats, particularly his Missy, who was always by his side. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends and we know he is now in Heaven with his beloved golden retriever, Mike, enjoying all the Gus' Hot Dogs he can eat.

Survivors in addition to his spouse include his siblings, Linda (Michael) Cavotta, Mechanicville, James E. Caldwell Jr., Virginia, Carole Belardo, Troy, Jean (Don) Widman, Troy, Deborah Caldwell, Green Island, Randy P. Caldwell, Troy and Patrice (John) Chesterfield, Green Island and his special nieces, Dawn Secor of Albany and Gayle Smith of Georgia and 5 other nieces and 9 nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Joseph Caldwell.

Relatives and friends may call at the Bryce Funeral Home, Inc. 276 Pawling Avenue Troy on Thursday from 4-7 PM.

Funeral service will be held Friday at 1:30 PM at the funeral home with Rev. Thomas Hayes, officiating.

Interment will be in Elmwood Hill Cemetery Troy.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of William J. Caldwell to the International Fund for Animal Welfare 290 Summer Street Yarmouth Port, MA 02675 or The Elephant Sanctuary P. O. Box 393 Hohenwald, TN 38462 or American Heart Association 440 New Karner Road Albany, NY 12205 or American Diabetes Association 2 Pine West Plaza Albany, NY 12205.

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