Arthur Ross Shelmandine Jr.

LOUDONVILLE - Arthur Ross Shelmandine Jr., 79, beloved husband and father, passed away on August 2, 2007 after a brief illness. Art was born on October 29, 1927 in Amsterdam, NY. He graduated from Wilbur H. Lynch High School and attended Utica College of Syracuse.
Art served in the US Army in both WWII and the Korean War reaching the rank of Sergeant. He was a member of the 704th Engineer Co. and the 82nd Airborne.
After his Army service, Art started his airline career at Mohawk Airlines at the Albany Airport. Relocating to Miami, FL, Art helped launch VIP Airlines before moving on to Eastern Airlines where he worked as a planner. He retired from Eastern in 1986. Returning to Menands, he became the retail manager for Cranesville Block, retiring in 2003. Art "came full circle" and returned to Albany Airport as an Airport Ambassador.
Among his many community involvements, Art was Past Master for the Oleeta Masonic Lodge in Miami Springs, FL, joined the Knights Templar and became a Shriner. He was a member of the Menands Rotary and VFW, serving as their presidents. At present he was the Esteemed Leading Knight of the Watervliet Elks #1500.
Art is survived by his devoted wife, Marlene Foss Shelmandine; three sons, Arthur IV and his wife Laurel of Jerhico, VT, Paul and his wife Monica of Niskayuna and Matthew of Miami Lakes, FL; and three daughters, deNise and her husband Otho Ellison of Kendall, FL, Karol and her husband Thomas Spenard of Troy NY and Leona (Kim) and her husband Wick Campbell of Stone Mountain, GA. He was loved by his grandchildren Marikje and Annalise Shelmandine, Shawn Shelmandine, Justin and Tyler Spenard, Matthew and Melissa Cole and Heather, Jennifer and Eric Campbell. He is also survived by his brother James, wife Janet and their two daughters of Chino Valley, AZ. Also survived by many cousins.
Art was predeceased by his parents Arthur R. Shelmandine Sr. and Elizabeth Hopkins, his sister Beverly Ann, and brother David R. Shelmandine.
A memorial service will be held on Monday at 6:30 p.m. at New Comer-Cannon Family Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie (Rt. 155-south of Central Ave.). A calling hour will precede the service from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
At the request of the family, contributions may be made to the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society, Menands, NY or Whiskers Albany, NY. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.NewcomerFamily.com