Theodore A. Testo Sr.

Testo, Theodore A. Sr. WATERVLIET Theodore A. "Ted" Testo Sr., 80, died Saturday, August 9, 2008 at the Van Rensselaer Manor in North Greenbush after a long illness. Born in Troy on March 16, 1928, he was the son of the late Dominick and Serafina Cioffi Testo. He was educated at School 10 in Troy and Troy High School . Ted was a notable high school athlete and a member of the Edward C. Picken Athletic Hall of Fame. Ted was a U.S. Army veteran. From 1950-1965, Ted and his wife Marge, were the proprietors of Testo's Grocery/Luncheonette on 16th Street in Watervliet. In 1950, Ted was still in the Army, operation of the store was handled by his wife Marge, his in- laws Tom and Marge Halpin, and his brothers. Once honorably discharged from the Army in 1951, Ted worked tirelessly putting in 15 hours a day. However the store provided him with the perfect forum. From his perch behind the counter, Ted would analyze the world of sports while engaging in lively and often animated discussions on how pro sports should operate with such other notable sports experts as Prof. Horton, Ed Reinfurt, Doug Anderson, Harlow Clough, Bob Sherlock, Wally Zeller, Archie "Shondoo" Kandolian, Fred Heidrich and a host of others. In 1965, Ted and Marge sold the store and Ted went to work at Ford Motor Company in Green Island. While at Fords, Ted's passion for politics and unions came to life. A few years after arriving at Fords, Ted was elected to serve as a UAW grievance committeeman and the local union political action chairman. Subsequently, Ted was elected and served for two terms as president of Local 930 for the UAW. In 1975, Governor Hugh Carey appointed Ted assistant commissioner of the New York State Dept. of Labor. As assistant commissioner for Labor Ted worked tirelessly to help the less fortunate when they fell on hard times, to get back on their feet whether by finding them employment or having their heat turned back on, he took great pride in helping others. Ted worked closely with state and local labor unions and members of the building trades on various statewide projects including the construction of the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympic Village and sports arenas. In 1982, Ted was promoted by Governor Mario Cuomo to Deputy Commissioner of Labor Affairs. Ted retired from Labor in 1985 and returned to his true passion, union work, joining the staff of SEIU in Albany. His belief in Unions as the backbone of America would stay with him throughout his lifetime. Ted became a very active member the Italian Community Center otherwise known as the "Club". At the Club, Ted played cards, bocce and helped to organize fund raising efforts for various charitable organizations. Following in the footsteps of his father and brother Pat, Ted was elected as president of the ICC in 1987, and worked hand in hand with all the members in planning and raising funds for the construction of the present facility in South Troy. Ted went on to serve as house chairman a role he thoroughly enjoyed. In addition to the Italian Community Center, Ted was an active member of the Troy Lodge of Elks and the Watervliet Knights of Columbus. In his retirement, Ted took a keen interest in his grandchildren, teaching them various life lessons such as the right way to eat an orange, how to win at cards, how to get the sales girl to get you the freshest baked donuts, and how to drive a car into on coming traffic without getting hit or losing your cool. Ted was a communicant of the former Sacred Heart of Mary Church in Watervliet and was an avid fan of the New York Yankees and the New York Giants. Ted was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Margaret Ann Halpin Testo who died April 26, 2001. He is survived by his children, Margaret Testo of Watervliet, Theodore A. Testo Jr. of Watervliet, Thomas E. (Cathy) Testo of Latham, Michael J. (Patricia) Testo of Menands, Linda M. (Ricardo) Romano of Latham and David A. (Gail) Testo of Watervliet; and his grandchildren, Josh, Zack, Alexandria, David, McKinley, Logan, Abigail and Davin. In addition to his children and grandchildren, Ted is survived by his brothers, Joseph (Janet) Testo of Rotterdam Junction, Pat Testo of Albany and Charles (Phil) Testo of Lansingburgh. He was predeceased by brothers Tony, Jimmy and Al Testo. Ted is also survived by several nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend special thanks to the wonderful staff, volunteers and clergy at Community Hospice and Van Rensselaer Manor Nursing Home. The funeral will be Thursday at 8:45 a.m. from the Parker Bros. Memorial, 2013 Broadway, Watervliet and at 9:30 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Shrine Church in Troy where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will follow in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 3-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to in Ted's memory to the Association of Retarded Children, 54 Maple Avenue, Troy, NY 12180, Community Hospice of Rensselaer County., 295 Valley View Blvd., Rensselaer, NY 12144 or to the Troy Boys & Girls Club, 1700 7th Avenue, Troy, NY 12180. Condolence book at: www.ParkerBrosMemorial.com