Harry J. Cushing Jr.

1936 - 2016

Cushing, Harry J. Jr. CLIFTON PARK Harry J. Cushing Jr., 80, formerly of Watervliet, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 30, 2016, at Albany Medical Center, surrounded by his beloved family. Born in Troy on November 11, 1936, he was the son of the late Harry J. and Margaret Isabel Lewis Cushing Sr. A resident of Watervliet for most of his life, Harry was a 1955 graduate of Catholic Central High School in Troy, and later served his country with the U.S. Navy from 1955-59 aboard the U.S.S. Northhampton. Harry was employed by Ford Motor Company in Green Island, from 1966-88. He was a proud member of the United Auto Workers (UAW) and served as financial secretary of the Local 930 UAW Union. Long active in religious, civic, and fraternal pursuits, Harry was a communicant of the former St. Patrick's Church in Watervliet, where he was a lector and a volunteer at many church and school functions. He was an active member of the Watervliet Knights of Columbus, where he was grand knight and house chairman. He served on the board of commissioners for the Watervliet Housing Authority for over 35 years, and was chairman for many years before stepping down in 2013. He was active in the Watervliet Democratic Party and frequently volunteered on political campaigns. He served as vice president for the Watervliet Pop Warner football league. He was also a member of the Watervliet Lodge of Elks. In retirement, Harry pursued a variety of interests, including performances as an extra in the movies, "Billy Bathgate" and "Ironweed," and performed in plays with the Players acting group at the Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) Maureen Stapleton Theatre. He was a disc jockey for radio station WMVI, and worked part-time at the Saratoga Race Course. He enjoyed golf and spending time with his family and friends. Most of all, he enjoyed many adventures with his cherished grandson, Devin. He was the beloved husband of the late Mary Ann Grillo Cushing who died in 2013; devoted father of Keith J. (Patricia) Cushing of Rexford; proud grandfather and best "Pop Pop" of Devin J. Cushing; loving brother of Marjorie (late Joseph) Finn and Sister Mary Damien Cushing, CSJ, both of Latham; Helen Shufon and Kathleen (late Kevin) Bayly, both of Watervliet; Elizabeth Cushing of Sand Lake; and dear brother-in-law of Joan and Michael Burke of Cohoes. He is also survived by several cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. The family is grateful to the nurses and doctors at St. Peter's Hospital and Albany Medical Center, and also to the nurses at Eddy Visiting Nurse Association for the care given to Harry. Special thanks to his five sisters, and particularly his youngest sister, Betty, for the wonderful care they provided in recent weeks. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral Mass on Thursday at 12:30 p.m. at St. Ambrose Church in Latham. The family will greet friends prior to the mass from 12-12:30 p.m. Harry's ashes will be entombed with his wife, Mary Ann at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery following the Mass. In lieu of flowers and due to cemetery restrictions, contributions may be made to Carondelet Music Center, St. Joseph's Provincial House, 385 Watervliet Shaker Rd., Latham, NY 12110, carondeletmusiccenter.com. Condolence book at ParkerBrosMemorial.com.