Paul Neri Jr.

Schenectady – Mr. Paul Bruno Neri, age 94, passed away on February 03, 2025, after suffering from several health issues, including dementia. He was surrounded and supported by his family and home health aides during the last hours of his life. Paul was born in Amsterdam, NY on December 7, 1930. He was brought up in an Italian immigrant family. He and his sister, Mary, were raised by their single Mother, Montanina Cassone. The three lived in a multi-family house along with Paul’s aunts, uncles, and cousins. Unusually, this allowed him to be surrounded by his extended family daily. He was afforded a childhood filled with a culture that gave him distinction and something he was very proud to be a part of. Paul was educated in Amsterdam schools and performed various jobs after high school. When he was 20 years old, he was drafted into the Army during the Korean Conflict and stationed in Germany. The time he spent in the Army were some of the most memorable years of his life. He spoke about those memories many times throughout his life, and they filled him with a sense of purpose. Shortly after returning from the Army, Paul met his wife of 66 years at a dance at Caroga Lake, NY during the big band era. Paul and Louise lived most of their life in Rotterdam, NY raising their four daughters. One was born with Down’s Syndrome. This added a challenge to their life which they tackled with grace. He first worked as a truckdriver at DohrnTransfer Comp. for 10+ years. Then worked as a Machinist, for the General Electric Co. for much of his life until he retired. After official retirement, he worked for a private security co. at Albany International Airport. One major hurdle they faced was while Louise was pregnant for their fourth daughter, Paul went through a horrible work-related accident at GE. He was directing a crane when the cable snapped and the heavy load it lifted almost crushed him to death. While he managed to survive, he had a long road to recovery to repair his crushed legs. All while raising four kids, and the unknown of the long road ahead, they endured. Paul spent three years in and out of hospitals, out of work, and had approx. 20 surgeries to make a full recovery, for which Paul and Louise were forever grateful. They could not have survived those times without the enduring assistance of their wonderful neighbors. Regardless of any hardships, Paul lived and extraordinary life, but not in the typical sense of the word. Instead of accomplishing grand like accomplishments, he did extraordinary things by carrying out the ordinary, every-day responsibilities of life. He enjoyed performing the small things that brought his family from morning to night with consistency and security. He performed those duties proudly, timely, and with his sense of perfection. That was his way of showing love and devotion toward his family. Those gestures are as extraordinary as any other accomplishment in life! Paul was a mild-mannered man with a great sense of humor. He could be so quiet but always had a flare of wit waiting to be spoken. That brought such surprise and joy to all around him. Paul took great pleasure in the simple beauties of life like listening to the leaves rustle across the grass, listening to the rhythm of the rain, and the sounds and smells of a campfire. Paul is predeceased by his parents, his wife Louise Neri, and his sister Mary Neri. He is survived by his children Jean (John) O’Donnell, Sharon Neri, Shelley (Chris) LaVallee, Lisa (Eddie) Nieves, his grandchildren Nicki (Marc) O’Donnell, Calvin LaVallee, Cameron LaVallee, and Devin Nieves, his niece Linda (Jack) Conroy, and his long-time caregiver, who became like a daughter to him, Karen Cross. Thank you to the many aides that cared for him in his final years and for the love and compassion they gave him. A viewing will be held at Saint Madeleine Sophie Church, 3500 Carman Road, Schenectady, NY 12303, on Thursday, February 13, 2025, from 10 to 11am. A Catholic mass will follow. Afterward, a brief military burial will be at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery at 2501 Troy-Schenectady Road, Niskayuna, NY 12309. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.