James L. Traudt Jr.

Traudt, James L. Jr. RENSSELAER James L. Traudt Jr., 66 of Rensselaer, peacefully passed away on April 12, 2022, at Livingston Hills Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Jim was born on December 5, 1955, to the longtime Hyde Park, N.Y. family of James L. Traudt Sr. and Jeanette Nagy Traudt, whom both predeceased him in 2007. Jim was a 1974 graduate of F.D. Roosevelt High School in Hyde Park, N.Y. He went on to study at Dutchess Community College and SUNY Plattsburgh. Jim worked for M. W. Swartz & Co., in Poughkeepsie until he was hired by IBM, where he worked for many years and several locations including East Fishkill, N.Y., Manassas, Va., Endicott, N.Y. and Poughkeepsie. He also worked for SUNY Polytech in Albany until his declining health afforded him an early retirement. On October 11, 1980, at Regina Coeli Church in Hyde Park, N.Y., Jim married his high school sweetheart, Susanne Michelle Behr who survives at home. Together they raised three children: Laura Jeanne (partner Christopher Mahar) of Schenectady, Kaitlin Michelle (husband Michael Duffy) of Clifton Park, and Michael James (wife Caitlin Lloyd-Traudt) of Union, Ky. who will always carry his spirit with them. He was also blessed with two grandsons, Colin James Duffy, and Christopher James Traudt. Jim is also survived by his sister, Margaret Traudt Brizzi of Stanfordville, N.Y. along with many friends and extended family. While raising their children, Jim could be found either on the sidelines or bleachers of soccer, basketball, baseball, lacrosse, softball, or football games cheering for not only his children, but the entire team. Jim was an avid reader, especially his favorite author, Stephen King. He always had a book in hand. Jim leaves behind a heartbroken family who will remember him for his generosity, quick wit and big smile. The family would like to thank the staff of Livingston Hills Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the kind and compassionate care he received during his stay. As per Jim's wishes, cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 29, at the W. J. Lyons, Funeral Home, 1700 Washington Ave., Rensselaer, to be immediately followed by a celebration of Jim's life at 2:30 p.m. in the funeral home, officiated by Reverend Thomas Feit of Millbrook, N.Y. Please consider a donation in Jim's memory to the Northeast Kidney Foundation, American Diabetes Association or the Alzheimer's Foundation. God speed Jim - we all love you and will miss you terribly. Condolence page at www.wjlyonsfuneralhome.com