John A. Pitcheralle

MECHANICVILLE ­- John A. Pitcheralle, 52, of North Seventh Avenue, died Saturday, May 20, 2006 at St. Mary"s Hospital, Troy, after a brief and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in Troy, Feb. 17, 1954, son of the late John and Nina Restino Pitcheralle, John was a 1972 graduate of Mechanicville High School. He was a railroad car inspector for Amtrak in Rensselaer for many years. Previously, he worked for the Delaware and Hudson Railway, and had also been a part-time bus driver for Upstate Transit of Saratoga for some years. A creative and artistic person, John after high school, became an accomplished window dresser for Ormond"s of Albany and the chains other stores, a position that he loved but wouldn"t provide the benefits that a railroad position would offer. An accomplished bowler, John had registered 11 300-games in his career, had appeared on the former T.V. Tournament Time bowling show, and had also became a certified bowling machine repairman. John was a certified high school baseball coach, something that he loved to do, and was the modified and junior varsity coach for Voorheesville High School from 1999-2003 and the assistant varsity baseball coach for Mechanicville High in 2004-05. He also conducted a baseball clinic for several years. He was a member of Assumption-St. Paul Church in Mechanicville. Survivors include his three sons, Ryan M., Gary J. and Jonathan D. Pitcheralle, all of Mechanicville; his wife, Doreen (Verdi) of Stillwater; his sister and her husband, Anne Marie and Pat Erano of Mechanicville; his nieces, Tricia Boyle and Joanna Erano; along with a number of aunts, uncles and cousins. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 9:30 a.m. today, May 24, at the Assumption-St. Paul North Main Street Church, with burial in St. Paul"s Cemetery. Calling hours were Tuesday, at the DeVito-Salvadore Funeral Home in Mechanicville. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the John A. Pitcheralle Baseball Award of Mechanicville High School, c/o the funeral home, 39 S. Main St., Mechanicville, NY 12118. To send a message to the family, sign our guest book at www.auburnpub.com and click on obituaries.