Robert V. Coluni

Robert Valentine Coluni, 86, of Market St., Amsterdam, NY, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, Friday, June 9, 2017. Born in Amsterdam, NY on April 2, 1931, he was the son of John and Jean Coluni of Carmichael St. He graduated from St. Mary's Institute in Amsterdam in 1949. Bob went on with his education at Wake Forest University thanks to a full baseball scholarship. While at Wake Forest he excelled at his position in baseball being a shortstop, and was selected to represent the American team in the Pan American Tournament in Columbia South America. Upon his graduation from Wake Forest, the local Brooklyn Dodgers baseball scout, Alex Isabel offered Bob a contract to play professional baseball after seeing his quick reflexes and fancy footwork. He signed on with the Hormel Brooklyn Dodgers team in 1952. Bob was a United States Army Veteran of the Korean Conflict, serving from 1954 to 1956. He was selected to play for the Far East baseball team that engaged in interleague military games in Japan and Korea. After Bob's baseball years were over, and after he graduated from SUNY Albany with a master's degree in education, he began his teaching years and eventually became a high school guidance counselor at Perth Central School District. He did some coaching there as well. Bob was a giver, sacrificed for many and was always humble and kind to others. He never had a bad word to say about anyone. He cared for his mother when she became a widow in her 60's for roughly 30 years, and also cared for his wife when she became ill for many years. He will forever be remembered, as he was called "Uncle Bob" not only by our family, but the nurses that took care of him at home, Yolanda, Angie, Lori, and Lisa, and the staff at Our Lady of Mercy Life Center, Rosary Unit. We feel so blessed and thankful for the wonderful care the Rosary Unit provided him with. Bob was predeceased by his wife, Clare"Betty" Coluni; his parents, John and Jean Coluni; his sister, Lena Coluni Hansett; his niece, Carol Hansett Millerman; and his nephew, John L. Coluni. Bob is survived by his brother, Valentine E. Coluni (Ginny) of Blacksburg, VA; and three nieces, Janice Cochran of Guilderland, NY, Maribeth Coluni Hypes of Blacksburg, VA, and Barbara Coluni of Ann Arbor, MI. Bob was great-uncle and Godfather to several others and has many cousins. Visitation will be held Monday morning, June 19th, 2017 from 9:15 to 10:30 at the Riley Mortuary, 110 Division St., Amsterdam, NY, followed at 11:15 by a Mass of Christian Burial, which will be celebrated at St. Mary's Church, 156 East Main St., Amsterdam, NY. Interment will follow at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Amsterdam, NY. Memorial contributions in Bob's name can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 4 Pine West Plaza, Albany, NY 12205. To send online condolences to the family, go to www.rileymortuaryinc.com.