Joseph A Petrone , VRHS Class of 1954
Petrone, Joseph LILLIAN, Ala. Joseph Benjamin Anthony Petrone, 83, of Lillian, Ala., passed away on March 14, 2018. Joe was born to Carlo and Mary Petrone on January 27, 1935, in Rensselaer. He graduated from Van Rensselaer High School in 1954. At Fresh Air Guild Camp in Canaan, N.Y., at 16, after being hired by her father, Joe met the love of his life, Betty Rifenberick and they married on July 26,1958, settling in Rensselear. Together they raised three children. He leaves a legacy of his loving and devoted wife and best friend Betty Petrone; his three children, Joseph D. Petrone (Ursula), of Latham, William B. Petroni of Manhattan and Lisa M. Bohl (Charles), of Coral Gables, Fla. He also leaves a sister, Ursuline Gray of Rensselaer; brothers, Alexander Petrone of Rensselaer, Carlo Petrone of Falmouth, Mass., Aldo Petroni of Wynantskill and Benjamin Petrone (Arlie) of West Sand Lake. Joe is also survived by his beloved relatives in his family's hometown of Maenza, Italy as well as numerous nieces and nephews and an extended circle of friends. One of Joe's greatest treasures was his grandchildren who he was extremely proud of and who he loved with all his heart. Sadly missing their Grandpa are Scott Cole, Zachary Bohl, Benjamin Petrone, Sawyer Bohl and Madison Bohl. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Josephine. After serving in the Army, Joe worked briefly in the plumbing trade, moving onto Niagara Mohawk, retiring in 1993. As an avid conservationist and naturalist he was most at home in the woods, where he loved hunting, fishing and camping with his family. Joe was always quick with a joke or a story and would converse with anyone who would listen. He never met a stranger. A celebration of Joe's life is scheduled for April 15, 2018, from 12-3 p.m. at Restaurant Navona, 289 New Scotland Ave., Albany. Donations in his honor may be made to the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance (www.rensselaerplateau.org).