Eugene S. Wojtal

ALBANY - Eugene S. Wojtal, 85, of Albany, passed away on Tuesday January 29, 2013 after a long illness. The son of the late Edward Wojtal and Anna Michalski,, he was born and raised in Albany and at the age of 17 he joined the US Navy serving aboard the heavy cruiser U.S.S. Macon as a Radar Operator during WWII. After the war, he went to work for the New York Telephone Company as a lineman, he was moved inside to management as a programmer while the company was entering into the new age of computers. In 1964 he was transferred to New York City, and retired as a Supervising Systems Analyst in 1985. His work helped establish some of the first computer networks laying the foundation for wide area networking that helped bring about the Internet. He eventually moved back to Albany and became involved with the Telephone Company Pioneer's Talking Books program. He served on the board of his homeowner's association.

Gene loved to read and do crosswords and enjoyed summers with his family at their cabin on Lake Sacandaga. He had aspirations to fly and eventually realized that dream by obtaining a private pilot's license.

Gene was preceded by his daughter Lynn, his brothers Edward and Francis, his sisters Florence and Eleanor. He is survived by his beloved wife, Ruth M. Wojtal and his children Mark (Carlyn), of Lincolnton, N C, Robert (Eve) of Greenfield Park, NY, Kathy (Michael) of Delray Beach, FL, Todd of Albany, NY, his grandchildren William (Wavie), Kristen, Kyle and great-grand daughter Ava.

The Wojtal family would like to thank all of the doctors, nurses, and techs at St. Peter's Hospital who cared for him, especially the staff of 6 Pavilion, who took such excellent care of their beloved husband and father.

Calling hours will be Saturday from 11 am to 1 pm at New Comer Cannon Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Rd. Colonie. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday morning at 10:00 at Mater Christi Parish, Albany. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Glenmont. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Peter's Hospital Foundation - https://www.givetostpeters.org/donate