Eugene Kieran Schuler Jr.

Schuler, Eugene Kieran Jr. KINDERHOOK A kind and gentle soul has left us. Eugene "Gene" Kieran Schuler died peacefully at home in Kinderhook, on April 17, 2013 after a courageous struggle with cancer. Gene was a loving and generous husband, father, friend, and mentor who lived the words of Micah, "Do justice. Love kindness. Walk humbly." Born in Allentown, Pa., on March 23, 1947, Gene was the son of the late Eugene and Eleanor Schuler. After graduation from the University of Notre Dame, he trained as a Naval air pilot. A VISTA volunteer in West Virginia in 1971 to 1972, Gene worked passionately for the rights of miners with black lung disease and on eminent domain rights. With a degree from the Graduate School of Public Affairs at UAlbany, Gene held various positions in the Capital Region, including with the Greene County planning department, the UAlbany School of Social Welfare; Research Foundation director of technology transfer; UAlbany assistant vice president for research and director, technology development; CAO of Ordway Research Institute; and executive director, Lighting Cultivator, Inc. He enjoyed mentoring as an adjunct professor at Albany Law School. In 2012, Gene was presented with the national Bayh-Doyle Award by the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM). Through the years, Gene gave his time and talents to many organizations, including Catholic Charities, Pyramid Life Center, Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce, Center for Economic Growth, Community Loan Fund, Habitat for Humanity, Village of Kinderhook, Valatie Santa Claus Club, St. John the Baptist Church, Ichabod Crane Regional Food Pantry, and the Capital area Huntington's Disease affiliate. Gene loved all things Irish, Notre Dame, the Adirondacks, canoe trips, traveling the world, Christmas, daffodils, lilacs, forsythia, biotechnology, good mysteries, feeding birds, gardening, and being with his nephew, Max. He treasured his time with friends around the world, especially his Pyramid Life Center friends. His sense of humor, appreciation of great jokes, kindness and compassion were well-known. Gene will be deeply missed by those whose lives he touched, especially Pat, his wife of 41 years, and Jenn, his amazing daughter. He is also survived by his brother, John (MaryLou); brothers-in-law, James Pitzvada and John (Joanne) Pitfido; sisters-in-law, Chris Loscavio, Mary Harrigan (Chuck), and Barbara Pitfido (John); and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was predeased by his brother, Philip. The family wishes to thank the staffs of the Dana-Farber Cancer Insitute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, NYOH Patroon Creek and Columbia-Greene Hospice for helping this wonderful man leave our presence with grace and dignity. A celebration of Gene's life will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on April 21, 2013 at Magin & Keegan Funeral Home, 891 Madison Ave., Albany. A prayer/remembrance service will begin at 6 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m., on April 22 at St. Vincent de Paul's Church, 900 Madison Ave., Albany. A reception for relatives and friends will be held following the Mass. Burial will be at a later date at the Carr Cemetery in Stittville. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Gene in a special way may donate to the National Huntington's Disease Association, Albany NY/West MA Affiliate, c/o M. Junco, 25 Murray Ave., Delmar, NY 12054.