Clarence G. Brisee, Jr.

Clarence Grant Brisee, Jr., 81, passed away peacefully at his home on May 8, 2011, after a long illness. Born in Albany to the late Clarence G. and Ester (Craven) Brisee, he lived his entire life in the Albany area. Affectionately known as "Breezy" to everyone who knew him, he was happily married to Barbara Chattin for over 63 years, and together then had ten children. Breezy worked for General Electric, MTI and American Locomotive; established his own company, SeeB Instruments; and retired from the Glenmont Post Office after many years. He took great pride in his work and was noted for going the extra mile to accomplish a job properly.
He was an avid genealogist for over 65 years and helped found the C.G. Brisee Genealogy Library in Irwin, IA. As a result of this avocation, his children grew up reading obituaries and enjoyed hearing the stories that genealogical research can unearth.
Breezy valued education and graduated from Union College after putting himself through night school while raising his large family. Despite his busy schedule, he had a deep interest in the various activities of his children and encouraged their individual talents and goals. He was a visionaire extraordinaire and not only implemented many great ideas, but also nurtured the same creative gene in his children.
Noted for his quirky sense of humor, he usually had an amusing comment for every occasion. His interests were many and varied, ranging from reading (especially sci-fi, mysteries, and spy novels), movies and TV (black-and-whites, musicals, British sit-coms, and Japanese animation), and music to linguistics, foreign culture, geology, and numismatics.
He was predeceased by his son, Clarence G. Brisee III of Riverside, New Brunswick, Canada. Breezy is survived by his wife and nine children: Diana (Richard) Kimball of Brooklyn, NY; Alaric (Florence) Brisee of Waterford, NY; Arlette (Jeffrey) Mattice and Lance (Uraina) Brisee, both of Ravena, NY; Adrian (Leslie) Brisee of Irwin, IA; Alida (Ron) Nattress of Pittsburg, CA; Christopher (Patricia) Brisee of W. Yarmouth, MA; Betsy (Rick) Mattice of Delmar, NY and Gretchen (Stephen) Resendes of Troy, NY; and his daughter-in-law Phyllis Brisee. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Stephen and Jennifer Brisee, Justin and Shallyn Brisee, Joshua and Luke Mattice, and Ron Nattress, Jr.; as well as three great-grandchildren: Jared Lowe and Malcolm and Kaylynn Brisee.
A private ceremony will be held at the convenience of the family.