Robert M. Donlon

1933 - 2017

Donlon, Robert M. NISKAYUNA Robert M. Donlon, 84, passed away on Monday, November 6, 2017. Born in Cohoes on September 6, 1933, Robert was the son of the late William and Helen Donlon. He was a 1951 graduate of Cohoes High School. Bob was a senior mechanical designer in the Large Steam Turbine Department of the General Electric Company until he retired in 1988, with 37 years of service. He was a life member of the International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers, Local 147 and the G.E. Quarter Century Club. Bob proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War from 1952-1955. He graduated from Bainbridge, Md. and the U.S. Naval Fleet Sonar School in Key West, Fla. He served aboard the U.S.S. Robert F. Keller DE-419 at the U.S. Naval Gun Factory, Washington, D.C., as a sonarman petty officer 3rd class. Bob was a member of the National Association of Sonarmen, Destroyer Escort Sailors Association. He was the co-founder and secretary of the former Capital District Destroyer Escort Sailors Association (CAP-DESA) and member of the Destroyer-Escort Historical Museum. He was a former volunteer tour guide aboard the historic U.S.S. Slater DE-766 moored in Albany. He also volunteered at the former St. Clare's Hospital gift shop and Proctors Theatre. Bob was a communicant of St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church and was a former member of its Pastoral Care Committee. Robert is survived by his loving wife, Roslyn of Niskayuna; former wife, Mary; and their cherished son, Robert R. Donlon of Cohoes; his siblings, Maureen (Alson) Hunter of Castleton, Shirley, (the late Alfred) Bessette of Fontana, Calif., Nanci (Russell) D'Amico of Lansingburgh, Sheila (Walter) Williams of Watervliet, John (the late Joan) Donlon of Cohoes, and William (Karen) Donlon of Zephyrhills, Fla. Robert is also survived by his mother-in-law, Angelina (the late John) DiGiorgio of Niskayuna; sisters-in-law, Judith (the late Stuart) Spitz of Niskayuna and Angela (Thomas) Darby of Guilderland; and by his extended family, Rita and Lee DeGasperis of Allentown, Pa. Robert was predeceased by his wife, Constance Donlon of Niskayuna; sister, Patricia (the late Clyde) Cook of Cohoes; brothers, Francis (the late Marie) Donlon of Fontana and James Donlon of Riverside, Calif. He leaves behind many nieces and nephews; great and great-great-nieces and nephews, relatives and friends. A very special thank you to Dr. William Vacca, Dr. Zofia Dryzmalski, the people of the Community Hospice and Naieem for their professional and compassionate care. A funeral service to celebrate Robert's life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 11, at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 343 New Karner Road, Colonie. Visitation will be from 10-11:30 a.m. prior to services at the funeral home. Interment with military honors will be held in Memory Gardens, Colonie. In lieu of flowers, donations in Robert's memory may be made to the Destroyer Escort Historical Museum (DEHM), U.S.S. Slater DE 766, P.O. Box 1926, Albany, NY 12202-1926 or the Community Hospice, St. Peter's Hospital Foundation, 310 S. Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208. To leave a special message for the family online please visit NewComerAlbany.com.