Stanley Alan Watroba

Rotterdam – Stanley A. Watroba, 63, passed away on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at home surrounded by his loving family, after a long and courageous fight against Multiple Myeloma.Stan was born in Gloversville on July 31, 1954 to Stanley A. Watroba and the late Beatrice (Johnson) Watroba. Stan was a man who lived life to the fullest and never allowed his disease to dampen his spirit, instead he lived by the mantra that “everyday is an opportunity.” He graduated in 1972 from Mont Pleasant High School and went on to earn his Associates Degree from Hudson Valley Community College.In 2016, Stan retired from Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, where he was employed for 41 years as a Senior Engineering Technologist in Non-Nuclear Testing. He will greatly miss his KAPL friends, Bill, Nelson, Walt, Bernie, John, and his great manager of 10 years, Tom. It was at KAPL where Stan became an avid pinochle player, a lunchtime tradition with his dear friends Larry, Jerry, Dom, Mike, Dan, and Dom. Stan was a devoted family man and the time spent with family was what he treasured the most. He is survived by his loving wife of 36 years and the “rock of the family,” Cindy (Murphy) Watroba, and the pride and joys of his life, his children, Ryan Watroba (Heather), Mackenzie Watroba, and Joe Watroba (Michaela). He will be sadly missed by his faithful canine companion, Toby Dunn Watroba. In addition, he is survived by his sisters-in-law Mary Beth Murphy and Toni Murphy, his brother-in-law Mike Murphy (Dawn), several nieces and nephews Mary Pat Donnelly (Pat), Katie Murphy Gagnon (Joe), Mia, Vivi, and Thomas, as well as his supportive in-law families, Larry and Linda Frame and Tee and Laura Palmer. He was predeceased by his brother-in-law Tim Murphy. Stan loved sports, particularly college basketball, horse racing, and the NY Jets and Mets. His love of Siena and Iowa basketball was strengthened by his special friendships with Fran McCaffery and Ken Raymond. Enjoying sporting events was one of his favorite pastimes with his family and friends. If there was a happening, Stan would be there. He and his family recently had the opportunity to tour ESPN Studios (and check it off of his bucket list!) thanks to dear family friend, Freddie Coleman. This was one of his “best days ever.” Stan was a man of many friends, who truly loved building long lasting relationships throughout his life. Stan cherished his lifelong friends, Dave, Jeff, Richie, John, Donna, Johnny, and Frank. He was predeceased by friends Bruce, Mark, Tom, and Kathy. In addition, Stan valued his Carman Little League friends, including the Barnes, French, Macejka, Catrambone, Terrenzio, and Audino families. He also treasured time spent with his dear friends of “Table 7”, Dina, Sheila, Mary, Mel, Deb, and Tom and his best neighbors, the Purcell, McCrum, and Ostrander families. Stan and family would like to express special appreciation to Dr. Omar Buddhu and the staff at NYOH, Dr. Andrew Dubin, and his caregivers on D4E and E8 at Albany Medical Center, as well as his good friend and former physician, Dr. Harry Dunn. Calling hours will take place on Monday, July 23rd from 4-7pm at the DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Ave. in Rotterdam. Funeral services will begin on Tuesday morning at 9:15am at the funeral home and will be followed by a funeral mass at St. Gabriel’s Church, 3040 Hamburg St. in Rotterdam at 10am. Interment will take place at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna. Those wishing to remember Stan in a special way may send a contribution in Stan’s name to the Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Fund at Albany Medical Center, 43 New Scotland Avenue Mail Code 119, Albany, NY 12208.