Michael J Fusco, Jr , VRHS Class of 1966
Michael J. Fusco, Jr. of Albany, New York passed on to eternal life on Thursday November 28, 2013. Mike was born and raised in the City of Rensselaer, where he also taught Health Education for 31 years for the Rensselaer City School District. He coached Varsity Baseball, Varsity Softball, Varsity Bowling, and girl's Varsity Volleyball as well at Rensselaer High School. Mike's passions were baseball, softball, golf, and bowling. He loved to spend time with his family and friends and cats. He will be remembered as a compassionate man who devoted much of his life to the disabled and less fortunate. Mike was always very active in many community and school activities. He started the "SADD" Chapter at the high school in 1988. Aside from teaching and coaching, Mike served as Councilman for the City of Rensselaer from 1978 to 1986. He was majority leader for the Rensselaer Common Council from 1982 to 1986. He also served as Rensselaer Summer Recreation Director from 1986 to 2000. Mike had belonged to several organizations including Rensselaer Boys-Girls Club Board of Directors, Rensselaer Knights of Columbus Council #267, Albany Zaloga American Legion Post #1520, the New York State United Teachers, the Italian-American Heritage Organization, and the Rensselaer City Democratic Party to name a few. As a player, Mike won several baseball awards including the Batting (.542) and Pitching (8-1) titles in the 1959 Rensselaer Little League and was MVP of the 1966 Melvin Roads American Legion Baseball Team. In bowling, Mike won the 1966 Rensselaer Varsity Bowling MVP as a senior. In football, Mike broke and still holds the Varsity record for interceptions in one game(5) verses Tamarac H.S. in 1965, also as a senior. Mike coached several baseball championship teams including the 1972 O'Neil Post, the 1996 Rensselaer High School Varsity Baseball Team (Section II class D & Regional Champs), and many adult fast-pitch softball championship teams from the old Rensselaer Night Softball Fast Pitch League in the 70's and 80's. Despite moving to Albany later in life, Mike's heart and good memories always remained in the City of Rensselaer. Mike was a huge fan of the New York Yankees, the New York Giants, the New York Jets, and Penn State and Notre Dame Football. He spent many hours down at Coyne Field Ballpark in Rensselaer. Mike was also proud to be inducted into the Hudson Valley Community College Hall of Fame with the rest of the 1968 baseball team that finished fourth in the nation. He also played for Springfield College and from 1970-1980 played in the Northway Semi-pro Baseball League. Mike was a member of CDBUA (Capital District Baseball Umpires Association), the ASA (American Softball Association), and Andy's Softball League of Albany Umpire group for a combined total of 30 years (1979-2008) of local umpiring. He was inducted posthumously into the Hall of Fame in 2014 for his high school athleticism; his lengthy, successful career in the Rensselaer City School District and his civic contributions to the city and its youth. Mike is survived by his loving daughter Michele Fusco/Benyo, his son-in-law David Benyo, his grandchildren Blake Michael Benyo, Kyson Dana Benyo, and Brynn Kady Benyo, his sister Betty (Sam) Fusco/Perrotto, his brother Rick (Kim) Fusco, his former wife Phyllis A. Fiacco/Fusco, his close friend Robert J. Roszak, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Mike was pre-deceased by his parents Michael J. Fusco Sr. and Catherine P. Mahar/Fusco, and his sister Frances K. Fusco/Gregory. Family and friends are invited to attend his funeral service on Monday December 2, 2013 at 10:30 AM at the Blessed Sacrament Church, 607 Central Avenue, Albany, New York where a mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will be held in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Rensselaer. Visitation hours will be on Saturday November 30, 2013 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the W. J. Lyons Jr. Funeral Home, 1700 Washington Avenue, Rensselaer, New York. Contributions in Mike's name can be made to the Mohawk & Hudson River Animal Shelter at 3 Oakland Avenue, Menands, New York 12204 or the Rensselaer Boys and Girls Club, 544 Broadway, Rensselaer New York 12144.