L. Piazza

DELMAR - L. George Piazza, 73, died Saturday, May 25, 2013 after a long battle with leukemia. Born in Albany, New York, he was the son of the late Frank and A. Melva (Lee) Piazza. George graduated from BCHS class of 1958. He was on the first wrestling team at BC in 1958. George was also on the track team and was an undefeated pole vaulter, winning the City Meet. After graduation, he went to Albany Business College and graduated in 1960. George joined the Army Reserve serving 6 months active duty, and five & 1/2 years as a reservist. While in the reserves, he worked for Staats Trucking Company with his father Frank, and his Uncle George. In 1975, he became President of Staats, and partnered with David Cairns to own and run the business, until it was sold in 2008. Golfing was a favorite hobby and enjoyment. He also enjoyed cruises, his trips to Hawaii, Las Vegas, The Grand Canyon, Italy and New Orleans. His most favorite place to be was at the family camp on The Great Sacandaga Lake. In recent years, he enjoyed wintering in Florida. A communicant of St. Thomas Church in Delmar, he served as an extraordinary minister of communion, basketball coach (coaching 5th and 6th grade boys - winning the Diocesan Championship and also being "runner up", twice. He coached basketball many years with Tom Foy. They were also the coaches for the 7th and 8th grade boys and girls teams for two years each). Until recently, he had served as usher at the 12:00 Liturgy for 15 years. George was the husband of the late Ruthann Collen (class of 1961) for 38 years. He is survived by his wife, Jennie McNab Moak, (class of 1961) whom he married in 2007, and his children: Lee Ann (John) of Altamont; Daniel (Mary) of Glens Falls; Tracy James (Stewart) of Westerville, OH; Tina Greinke (Glenn) of Rensselaer; and Melissa of East Greenbush. He is also survived by his 5 grandchildren: Zachary, Alex, and Ian Johnston; Ruthanne and Julia James. Also surviving, is his brother Frank (Lynne) of Stuyvesant; his sister Phyllis (Richard) Drew of Delmar; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff and personnel at St. Peter's Hospital, NYOH, and Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave. Delmar, Tuesday, from 4 to 8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 9:30am in St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 35 Adam PL. Delmar. Interment will follow the Mass in Calvary Cemetery, Glenmont. Rather than sending flowers, George's family requests donations to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Upstate New York Chapter, 5 Computer Drive West Suite 100, Albany, NY 12205.