John R Greening Sr

Rotterdam - In the early morning of Thursday, December 26, 2013, John Raymond Greening passed away peacefully at The Stanton Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Glens Falls, NY. Born March 24, 1925 in Pontypridd, South Wales son of the late Walter William Greening and Ellen McCarthy.Ray was pre-deceased by two brothers, Len of Mundijong, Australia, and Lawrence of Tonteg, South Wales. Ray served as a British Paratrooper for the Royal Signal Corps during World War II in Europe and India. In 1955, he worked for British Overseas Airways as a Fitter/Mechanic, and later gained foreign car repair skills from employment at a British Jaguar Factory. He married Florence Riddolini, September 14, 1957 in Pontypridd, South Wales. The two later emigrated to the United States in 1958 and moved to Rotterdam, NY where they visited earlier on their honeymoon. Ray first worked in the area as a mechanic for Robert F. Pump Imports and shortly after opened Ray's Foreign and Domestic Cars.He later was employed by General Electric Company, Research and Development in Niskayuna, NY for 22 years. Early on, Ray enjoyed breeding and showing Great Danes with his wife, and was Past-President of the Albany Kennel Club. He spent retirement enjoying his family, wood carving, wintering with his RV in Florida, returning to visit his beloved Wales and relatives in Great Britain. Ray is survived by Florence, his loving wife of 56 years, son, John Greening Jr. of Queensbury, NY his grandchildren, Colin Greening of Boulder, CO and Halie Greening of Queensbury, NY; his nephew, Paul Greening, wife Liz, and their two children Gemma and Lynsey of Barnstable, England; Sister-in-law, Marie Greening and her children, Kathleen (Deceased),Bernard Greening, Terry Greening of Mundijong, Australia, their families and remaining extended family in Wales. Nieces; Roma Hunt and Family, Annetta August and Family both of Schenectady. Calling hours, to which relatives and friends are invited, will be held Monday December 30, 2013 from 11 a.m. - 1p.m. at DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home 1605 Helderberg Ave., Rotterdam. A funeral service will immediately follow at 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna. Memorial contributions may be made in John's memory to the Stanton Nursing & Rehabilitation Centre 152 Sherman Ave., Glens Falls, NY 12804. Online condolences may be made at www.demarcostonefuneralhome.com