Rinaldo V. DeNuzzo

DeNuzzo, Rinaldo V. EAST GREENBUSH Rinaldo V. DeNuzzo, 88, passed away June 2, 2011 at Albany Medical Center Hospital after a brief illness. Born in Cleveland, he was the son of the late Luigi DiNuzzo and Domenica Razzano DiNuzzo, devoted husband of Lucy Sneed DeNuzzo and loving father of Lisa A. DeNuzzo. In addition to his wife and daughter, Rinaldo is survived by sisters Faustine (John) DiCocco, Delores (late John) Shenaur, and Frances (Edward) Spychalski, as well as many nieces and nephews. Following graduation from Watervliet High School, he enlisted in the Army (Air Corps) and became a captain in the U.S. Air Force where he proudly served his country during World War II and the Cold War as aerial navigator, aviation mechanic, and pharmacy officer. He subsequently graduated from the Albany College of Pharmacy and earned an M.S. degree from SUNY Albany, while further enhancing his studies at Columbia University Teachers' College. A full professor at the Albany College of Pharmacy for 58 years, "Prof," as he was affectionately called, became a living legend. He practiced clinical pharmacy up until the last three years of his life and held pharmacy licenses in several states. "Prof" also served his country as a member of the U.S. Congressional review panel on prescription drug payments, as coordinator of pharmaceutical services for the XIII Winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid, and as chair of the NYS Department of Health's Ad Hoc Advisory Committee. In 2003, "Prof" was awarded the prestigious honorary degree doctor of humane letters (L.H.D.) by the Albany College of Pharmacy in recognition of his lifetime achievements. Other activities "Prof" was involved with include acting as regent of the Kappa Psi pharmaceutical fraternity, board member of the Harvard School of Public Health, and radio talk show guest on WGY's "Ask the Pharmacist." He was a generous supporter of the Army "A" Club at West Point, a benevolent contributor to the Lucy Sneed DeNuzzo Scholarship at Concord University, and the Rinaldo V. DeNuzzo Scholarship at the Albany College of Pharmacy. His interest as an educator allowed him to serve as a member of the East Greenbush School Board for 18 years, during which time he acted as president for two terms. In his spare time, "Prof" enjoyed attending his daughter's Schenectady Symphony concerts and appreciated her love for animals. Most recently he was proud of their grandchampion American saddlebred horse, "Java." Calling hours are Monday from 5-7 p.m. at the Parker Bros. Memorial, 2013 Broadway in Watervliet, with a brief Roman Catholic funeral service to follow at 7 p.m. Interment will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Saratoga National Cemetery with full military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rinaldo V. DeNuzzo Project, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 106 New Scotland Ave., Albany, NY 12208.