Obituary of Robert Fazio

Robert Vincent "Bob" Fazio, aged 90, passed away peacefully at Van Rensselaer Manor on August 19, 2024, in Troy, NY. Born on April 9, 1934, in Albany, NY, he was the cherished son of Salvatore and Margaret Fazio, who preceded him in death. Bob was also preceded by his uncle/godfather Vincent Munafo who was more like a brother to him than an uncle. Bob graduated from Christian Brothers Academy where he held the honor of being a Lt. Colonel. He then attended Clarkson University where he met his roommate Mike Dranichak. Bob and Mike became lifelong best friends and the brother that neither of them had. He proudly served as a First Lieutenant in the Army Corp of Engineers. Professionally, Bob was a dedicated Chemical Engineer and Quality Control Officer at Fuller Brush and Albany International/Crellin Plastics/Sonoco, retiring in 1997. He was a devout member of St John the Baptist Catholic Church in Valatie, NY, and later at the Avila Retirement Community where he served as Lector and Eucharistic Minister. Bob found joy in golfing and gardening. He also had a tremendous passion for playing games, which he loved even more when he won them. Bob was a member of Winding Brook Golf Course in Valatie, NY where he once proudly got a hole in one. After moving to Avila he started the Community Garden and the Garden Club with fellow residents. He was very proud that the fresh vegetables they grew were used in the meals that were prepared and served in the dining hall. Bob was a very social man and he loved reaching out to new residents at Avila, inviting them to dinner and introducing them to other community members. He was always ready to help anyone with anything and loved chatting with them when he was out on one of his many daily walks. Bob also enjoyed taking advantage of the many different outings that Avila would arrange along with his wife Kathy, especially if they involved music, history or science and technology. Bob took great pride in taking care of his homes and teaching his children and grandchildren the skills needed for performing home improvements. Since Bob and Mike were pretty inseparable, Bob eventually bought a 2nd home out at Cape Cod, not far from Mike's home. South Sunken Meadow became a favorite family vacation spot, hosting many Easter and Thanksgiving celebrations; creating many, many wonderful memories that will forever be held dear and especially all of the incredible sunset walks on the beach down at the bay. Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Katherine E. Fazio; loving children, Mary Kay (Ken) Wengler, Paul Fazio, and Lynne (Bruce) Mattingly; adored grandchildren, Chelsea Meredith, Salvatore Wengler, Kenny Wengler, JP Wengler, Nicholas Fazio, Benjamin Fazio, Patrick Fazio, Peter Mattingly, and Nathan Mattingly; and wonderful great-grandchildren, Holden Wengler, Elliott Mattingly, and Eliza Mattingly, whose lives were greatly enriched by Bob's presence. His departure will leave a great void in their lives but they'll be comforted with their many wonderful memories. Bob is also survived by his two loving sister-in-laws, Alice Mills and Patricia Wildzunas, as well as many loving cousins. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, Valatie, NY. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 30, at 10 am at Mater Christi Catholic Church, 40 Hopewell St, Albany, NY with the funeral mass immediately following at 11 am. After which Bob's interment will occur at St John the Baptist Cemetery in Valatie, NY. The family would like to thank the staff at Peregrine Guilderland Assisted Living who lovingly accepted Bob into their facility and provided him with an enhanced level of care when Kathy could no longer safely help him. The family would also like to thank the staff of the B1 unit at Van Rensselaer Manor and the members of Bob's Community Hospice care team for their extremely kind and compassionate care of Bob. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research or The Community Hospice.