Albert G Leininger

Albert (Jiggs) George Leininger Guilderland- Albert George Leininger, 85, passed away at home peacefully on Friday May 8, 2015. He was a son, a brother, a husband, a veteran, a father, and a lifelong resident of Guilderland except when he was serving his country, in the Navy, during the Korean War.He was born on May 3rd, 1930, in a farmhouse on Grant Hill Road to the late Carl G Leininger and Edith Warner Leininger. The family moved to various locations ending their moves when they purchased the Farm on the corner of Old State Road and route 146.The family farmed the land, built a lunch counter, (Now Mike's Diner), and started a Cider mill that would run until 1986. Mr. Leininger took over the cider business from his father in 1964, ran it (with the help of his entire family) until it closed with the passing of his mother, and is now the location of the Capitalcare Family Practice Guilderland. He attended school in Guilderland at numerous locations, to include Fort Hunter Elementary, and graduated from Draper High in 1947. He worked at various jobs after graduation, but his most remembered times were working at the A&P with his Uncle Glenn Leininger and at Dutcher's Ice Cream store. He enlisted in the Navy in 1951, and departed for the Great Lakes Training Center to start his Navy career. He served in various positions, including sea duty on the USS Bennington. He was aboard ship during Operation Mariner when 42 of the Squadron's planes were ordered to ditch, and thought to be lost when the weather lifted, and the planes were able to land, even though they were well past their estimated fuel time.He was awarded the Navy Good Conduct Medal, the Navy Occupation Service Medal (w/European clasp) and the National Defense Medal. Mr. Leininger married Maudie M King in 1951, the marriage only ending with her passing on March 26, 2013, after 61 years of marriage.After his tour in the Navy was complete, they returned to Guilderland, and raised their family. They had six children. For the next 35 years, he worked, helped raise his family, ran a cider mill, and was a founding member of the Fort Hunter Fire Company. He worked at Levi Case, in Schenectady, as a sheet metal worker, and proud member of Sheet Metal Worker's Local 83, retiring in 1990. He also served as a Deputy Fire Coordinator for Albany County for over thirty years.As a founding member of the Fort Hunter Fire Department, he served in every capacity, to include firefighter, chief, and Fire Commissioner.He was a firefighter for 65 years, in service to his community. While working and raising his family, he loved to spend time with them in the Adirondacks, continuing to go to his place on the lake, every year, until his passing.After his retirement, he could often be found on the lake spending time pursuing the lake monsters he loved to catch. Mr. Leininger was pre-deceased by his parents, Carl, and Edith.His beloved wife, Maudie King Leininger. He was also predeceased by his sister Marie Leininger Bratt, her husband Guy E. Bratt, and his nephew Drew E, Bratt.He is survived by His sister Marion Leininger Robinson, his nephews Eric Bratt (Joan), Bruce Robinson (Lori), his nieces Carol Tommel (Tom), and Gail Parker (Dan).He is also survived by all his children Doug (Linda), David (Mary), Dan (Judy), Sandra Vetro (Paul), Dawn Freisatz (Glenn), and Brian. Also survived by eleven grandchildren and six great great-children A memorial service will be held 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home 5216 Western Turnpike (just west of Carman Rd.) Guilderland. Interment will be at Prospect Hill Cemetery, as determined by his family. The family would like to thank Hospice, The Fort Hunter Fire Company, and especially Dr. William Tetreault who has been a friend and Family Physician to the Leininger family for almost 30 years. In lieu of flowers Mr. Leininger requested that donations be made to the Alzheimer's association, or the Fort Hunter Fire Company.