John "Jack" Basal

Basal, John "Jack"
GREEN ISLAND - John "Jack" Basal, Ph.D, passed away on Wednesday, November 12, at St. Peter's Hospital, following illnesses from Parkinson's Disease and Melanoma. He was born September 15, 1944, in Elmira, N.Y., the son of William and Mary Basal. Jack was a graduate of Elmira Free Academy and attended the University of Rochester. He earned his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and Statistics from the University of Albany. Throughout his career, he was an earnest advocate for people with developmental disabilities as well as children. He primarily consulted with various agencies, retiring most recently as a long time practitioner at St. Catherine's Center for Children in Albany.
His favorite band by far was the Grateful Dead. He went to many of their concerts and took his kids to their first Dead show. For years he drove around in his car with a Jerry Garcia doll in the back window and a tie dye was always the perfect gift for him. His favorite place in the world was Glimmerglass in Cooperstown, where he enjoyed many summers with his family at the lake house. No matter how hot it was though, he almost never went swimming, and we all marveled about that. He liked to sit on the porch or the dock and just watch the water. He taught all of his grandkids how to fish off the dock, and he never made them take the fish off the hook. Jack's greatest joy was his family. He took immense pride in his children and grandchildren, celebrating not just their achievements, but the good-hearted people they became. A prankster, one of his favorite pastimes was telling jokes that surely elicited a groan from whomever was listening.
He is survived by his loving wife, Micki Trombly Basal, of Green Island; his beloved dog, Willy; his son, Scott (Jeny) of Delmar; his daughter, Kathryn Jerian (Vartan) of Schodack; and his grandchildren, Aidan Basal, Andon, Ani, and Aren Jerian. He is also survived by his brother, William of Elmira; his brothers-in-law, David Trombly and Ira Baumgarten; and his sister-in-law, Nadine Baumgarten. He is survived by several nieces and nephews; and held a particularly special bond with nieces, Samantha Trombly and Amanda Matthews.
Per Jack's request, there will be no funeral services at this time, but a celebration of his life will be held this summer at his favorite lake.
Condolence book at ParkerBrosMemorial.com