Arnold Gourlay

COLONIE – Arnold Gourlay, 86, of Colonie, passed away on April 20, 2006 at Albany Memorial Hospital after a short illness. Born on October 24, 1919 in Princetown, NY, he was the son of the late James and Rita Gourlay. Arnold was a long time resident of Colonie. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving his country during World War II in the Alaskan Halusion Islands. Mr. Gourlay worked for American Locomotive and then as a truck driver for Motor Freight. More recently, he was a carpenter and lumber man for Tull Lumber and Rutland Lumber Co., from where he retired in 1984. Arnold was known for his love for cats, small children, the outdoors, gardening, picking strawberries and barbequing. He was the neighborhood handyman with his tools and knowledge of plumbing, carpentry, welding and always tinkering in his garage. He always told his stories of traveling with the carnival, his days in the military, seeing Kodiak bears and moose and the Japanese ships on the coast of Alaska. He also enjoyed bowling at the Midway Bowling Lanes. Arnold was predeceased by his first wife, Albena Gourlay in 1951, and his second wife, Margaret Gourlay in 1996, his brothers, James, George, Robert and Kenneth, and his sisters, Alberta, Francis, Dorothy and Agnes. He is survived by his daughters, Marie (Jerry) Naze of Schenectady, Rita (Scott) Erfurt of Abilene, TX and Patti Mueller (Bruce Barringer of Schenectady) of Rotterdam. He is the brother of Gladys (Jack) Fennen of Watervliet. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Richard (Stephanie) Naze, Robert (Cathy Critello) Naze, Karen (David Slurff) Naze, Renee (Gerry) Maness, Scotty (Hillary) Erfurt, Nichole (Brian) Hotaling, Douglas Forni and Daniel Lord. Also surviving are ten great-grandchildren, his dear friends, Gail and Alyssa Ponzi of Colonie, all of his morning coffee buddies and many nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 29th at 11:00 a.m. at New Comer-Cannon Family Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie (Rt. 155-south of Central Ave). Calling hours will precede the service from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Memory's Garden. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions would be appreciated to Trinity Christian Church, 560 Sand Creek Road, Albany, NY 12205 or St. Clare's Church, 1947 Central Ave., Albany, NY 12205 in memory of Arnold Gourlay.