Dominick A. Papandrea

ALBANY - Dominick Anthony Papandrea, M.D., 93, a prominent Albany physician dies on Friday, June 17, 2011, surrounded by his loving family at The Hospice Inn at St. Peter's Hospital.
Born in 1917, Dominick grew up on the family farm in the Hudson Valley with his father, Anthony Papandrea and his stepmother, Grace Lafaro Papandrea. Dominick's birth mother, Catherine Russo, had died in the Spanish Influenza pandemic in 1918. Following a childhood bout of pneumonia, Dominick decided to become a doctor and worked hard to excel academically. After graduating from Bard-St.-Stephen's College, he attended Albany Medical College and began to achieve his dream of a medical career.
World War II drew him into the U.S. Navy Medical Corp., where he was commissioned as Ensign and then Lieutenant JG and served in the Pacific theatre on the USNH St. Albans, the USS Laramie, the USS Haven, and the USS Vicksburg. He received an American Theatre Ribbon, an Asiatic Pacific Theatre Ribbon, and a Victory Medal for his military service. After the war he completed a residency in Urology in Augusta, GA, and returned to Albany to set up a private practice. With other Urologists he assisted in establishing the Department of Urology at St. Peter's Hospital and was a respected member of the staff there for many years. He retired from private practice in 1980, after which he
served as Assistant Medical Director at the Albany County Jail, the Albany County Nursing Home, and the Ann Lee Home. He also served as the Medical Director of the Villa Mary Immaculate.
He was a dedicated and compassionate healer to all, with a special respect and fondness for his elderly patients. Toward the end of his medical career, Dominick received a Certificate of Merit from the American Medical Association's 50-Year Club of American Medicine. He retired from Medicine at the age of 79. He continued to remain current in his knowledge of Medicine, as well as to maintain an active family and social life. He was the last remaining member of the Class of 1939 at Bard College.
With his wife Marie, Dominick traveled to England, Scotland, Italy, Germany, and the beaches and coasts of Long Island, Maine, and Cape Cod. He was a model of the "lifelong learner," eager for new knowledge about history and the natural world and enthusiastic about discussing politics and other events of the day. He had a great sense of humor that would light up the room. He took great interest in his children's lives and loved them dearly. Dominick was avid lifelong fan of the New York Yankees and the New York Giants. He was also an inventive cook, famous for his caponata and turkey dressing. He loved being at home, tending his garden, reading mysteries, visiting the library in Colonie, taking morning walks, and completing crossword puzzles. Most of all he loved to bring his large extended family together for holidays and celebrations.
Dominick leaves behind his beloved wife Marie, with whom he shared 34 wonderful years; 8 of his 9 children: Virginia Papandrea of Asbury Park, NJ; Mary Ellen Papandrea of Delmar; Anthony (Karen) Papandrea of Voorheesville; Dr.John Papandrea (Dr. Kathleen Kennedy) of West Hartford, CT; Michael Haack of Albany; Daniel (Rita) Papandrea of Albany; Dorothy Welch of Albany; James (Andrea) Papandrea of Guilderland; and his stepchildren, Patricia Spain of Cohoes and Chris (Angie) Brignola of Latham. He was predeceased by his eldest daughter Nancy Bonacker in 2009.
Dominick always had time for his 12 grandchildren and step-grandchildren: Mary Sharp, Anthony Mulligan, E.J. Bonacker, Eric, Dominick, Mary, Michelle, and Matthew Papandrea, Bob and Katie Spain, and Christian and Dominic Brignola. He was delighted by the arrival of great-grandchildren Maryssa and Taylor Sharp and Samantha Mulligan. Dominick is also survived by cousins Ralph (Bobbie), Ann, Frank (Mary), and Rose Lofaro.
The family extends our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Stuart Rosenberg for his compassion and support during this difficult time. We are also grateful to the staff of the Inn at St. Peter's Hospice for the comfort and care they gave to Dominick and his family.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, June 22 at 8:15 am at New Comer Cannon Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Road, Colonie, then to St. Clare's Church, 1947 Central Avenue, Colonie, where A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:00am. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Tuesday, June 21 between the hours of 4:00 and 7:00 pm at the funeral home. Internment will follow the Mass at Memory's Garden Cemetery, 983 Watervliet-Shaker Road in Colonie.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation in Dominick's memory to the National Kidney Foundation of Northeast New York, 99 Troy Road, Suite 200, East Greenbush, NY 12061.