Name: Visitation for Joseph G. Albanese
Start: 2021-01-14T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2021-01-15T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Rossi & Ditoro Funeral Home

Joseph G. Albanese, 86, known to so many as "Jo-Jo", passed away Friday, Jan 1st, 2021 at Ellis Hospital after a courageous battle with COVID-19. Joe was born in Schenectady on April 15th, 1934, a son to the late Joseph & Nellie Albanese. Joe graduated from Draper High School in 1952 and immediately enlisted in the US Army for 4yrs during the Korean War as an Electrical & Communications Specialist. Joe was honorably discharged in 1956 to return home and soon marry his one & only true love, his late wife Verna C. Ebert. Joe started his career at General Electric Company working in the Generator Dept applying his electrical & mechanical skills winding stators. Joe soon realized he wanted to open his own business, so in 1958 he started Jo-Jo's Auto Service located at 423 Union Street. Hequickly established a growing customer base, known for his advanced automotive skills, honesty& fair pricing. Joe was a master mechanic capable of diagnosing & fixing any issue with cars, trucks, boats, racecars & so much more. He held many corporate accounts during his 50+yrs in business including Schenectady's US Postal Service, Freihofer's Baking, Lay's Potato Chips& more. Joe worked 6-7 days a week & rarely took time off because he loved his career and the many customers & friends he made over the years. Joe absolutely adored his family and always tried to find more than 24hrs in a day to spend time with them. He worked really hard to keep a balance between work & play. During the summer months, his family would relocate to their camp at Dellarotta's on Sacandaga Lake spending theentire summer enjoying the warmth & relaxation. Joe would make the daily commute from work to camp and take their boat to Sand Island every weekend enjoying the beach, horseshoes& water skiing with family and friends. Joe loved his 4-legged friends. He had horses initially and then focused on his love for dogs while living in Schenectady. Joe had many dogs over the years always rescuing them from local shelters. He was a long-term sponsor of the Animal Protection Foundation right up to his passing. Joe is survived by his sister Madeline Zielinski of Rotterdam Junction who is still active at 93yrs old, his son Joseph G Albanese Jr of Middle Grove, daughter Christine M Aldrich of Ballston Spa, grandsons Terry G. Aldrich II&Peter J Albanese (Tamara), granddaughter Kaita C. Albanese& his only niece, Nancy Zielinski (Tom). Joe is also predeceased by his very close friend & caretaker, Linda "Lena" Wujciak. Relatives and friends are invited to Rossi & Ditoro Funeral Home, 501 Union Street on Thursday (14th) from 4 to 7pm. CDC guidelines and restrictions will be practiced at all times. Please remember your mask. Services with Military honors will be held at Rossi & Ditoro Funeral Home, 501 Union Street on Friday (15th) at 11am. Interment will follow in Sts. Cyril & Method Cemetery, Rotterdam. Donations may be made to the Animal Protection Foundation.

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Published by The Daily Gazette Co. from Jan. 11 to Jan. 12, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Albanese

Sponsored by Rossi & Ditoro Funeral Home.

12 Entries

January 16, 2021

May God's promise found in John 6:40, of the hope to see our loved ones again, comfort your heart and give you peace, strength, and hope in the days ahead.

Hillary

January 14, 2021

I remember as a child going to the shop with my dad, often it was just to say hi.

At 20 years old I had a new born baby. I was a college student with a full time job. I had broken an important rule and hadn't changed my oil. Jo Jo gave me a stren lesson on responsible car ownership and than he fixed my car. He allowed me to make payments which was the kindest gesture. I would not have been able to continue my education, get to work or care for my child if it wasn't for him.

Whenever I drive by the shop with someone new I tell the story of how his kindness and trust in me helped me become who I am today.

David Altieri

January 14, 2021

I started like this. I lived on Jay Street back then. Joe opened the Tydol gas station in 1958. I just finished going to automobile school. So I went to ask Joe for a job. I told him that I just graduated from auto school. He told me to come back in the morning. When I went back the next morning he gave me the keys to a car in the parking lot. He told me to find out what was wrong with it. I took it up the street then I came back and put it on the lift and checked it out. I made a list of things that it needed and gave it to him. Then he checked the car out. Then he asked me when I could start. We worked on everything cars and trucks to what ever needed fixing. My first job was a brake job on a Shuler's potato chip truck. They had a garage on north Jay street. Then Tydol changed the name from Tydol to Flying A gas station. WE had gas pumps back then.
At times we had so much work where opened 24 hours a day.
Joe thank you for the good times we had together now its time to rest.
Please say Hi to ED & Albert Rossi for me. They took good care of my family when they passed. I miss talking to you on the phone Joe.
Your friend Dave.

David Altieri

January 14, 2021

Kimberly Eriole (Mulligan)

January 13, 2021

Always fond memories growing up and not only going to the garage while my mom"s car was worked on but also Jojo taking care of my car needs when I became an adult. RIP

Toni Conti- Schermerhorn- Curry

January 12, 2021

Jo Jo I will always Love you, and Miss you! Fly with the Angels hun! See you again one day!

Dave Altieri

January 12, 2021

To all of Jo-Jo's family,
I am very sorry for your loss. I worked with Joe at the station from 1958.
Joe and Verna where my son's God mother and God father. He had me run the station when he could not be there. I called him every week to see if he needed anything. Joe, Verna and I would go out water skiing at the camp. Joe and I went hunting, fishing, and drag racing at Fonda raceway. I found a 1955 Thunderbird for him. When we had time to work on it he turned it into a very fast car. It was green when he got it and he painted it red. Then there was also the Mohawk River Inn - his dad Smitty ran the place. It was a fun place to go square dancing. I will never forget the good times we had together. I am sending a picture of my son's God father and God mother Joe and Verna Albanese.

Georgia Askew

January 12, 2021

The world has lost a wonderful guy! I lived at 612 Union and moved about 10 years ago. Still stopped in to see him if he was there holding court. He always had a set of keys to my cars hanging on the pegboard. Who will ever forget his blue eyes and talent! RIP Joe with all the pups!

Bill & Kathy Monty

January 12, 2021

Jo-Jo was an awesome guy. Great mechanic and all round good guy.
RIP.
To Jo-Jo's family sorry for your loss.

Dave Monty

January 11, 2021

Joe, thanks for taking me under your wing many years ago and showing me how to fix cars, you were the best, Thank you Ill always remember you and can never forget when we named our son after you. RIP my friend

Jill DeMatteo

January 11, 2021

To all of JoJo's family,
I am very sorry for your loss. From my first car and for nearly 30 years, Joe kept my cars running. Sometimes, when the bill was expensive, he'd let me pay "on time". He sold me my first plow truck, a Dodge (complete with a much needed driving lesson) that I had for awhile. At his welcoming shop, there was always a fresh pot of coffee on and I always got to visit with one of his
dogs. He valiantly rescued a pitbull that he affectionately named Jose'. How he laughed with those sparkling blue eyes when his Rottweiler playfully chased me. I'm sure he's in heaven turning wrenches on small block Chevy's. Our Little Italy neighborhood will miss him.

Paul H Tocker

January 11, 2021

Joe & I were neighbors for many years , my law office was located @ 18Jay St., Schenectady NY 12305 I evenually entrusted my vehicles to Mr Joe .He had a mitus touch with my cars and his pricing was always fair.Joe was a master mechechanic. My condolences to his family & friends .Paul H.Tocker

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