Gary Hamblen

COLCHESTER, CT – Gary W. Hamblen, 68, passed away on Saturday, March 4, 2006, surrounded by his loving family, at the Hospice Unit in Middlesex Hospital, Middletown, CT, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Albany, NY on September 28, 1937 and was the son of the late Winston Y. and Estella C. (Winchip) Hamblen. Gary was a former Guilderland resident for 35 years. He was a graduate of Bethlehem Central High School and the Albany College of Pharmacy, Class of 1959. Gary practiced retail pharmacy in Ithaca and Norwich, NY before joining the Norwich Pharmaceutical Co. as a research/manufacturing pharmacist. He returned to the capital region in 1969 and was employed by the former Sterling Winthrop Drug Corp., Red Mill manufacturing facility for over 23 years. He retired from the AARP Pharmacy in Glenville, NY in April 2001 after ten years of service. He was a member of the Guilderland Elks Lodge #2480. Gary's hobbies included his garden, camping, boating and trips to the Atlantic Ocean coastal areas. He also enjoyed and was very proud to watch his daughter, Sheila race her NHRA top alcohol (nitro) dragster, and his nephew Matt DeLorenzo race his modified stock car at area tracks. Gary is survived by his beloved wife and very best friend, Geraldine May (Nitsky) Hamblen. He is the devoted father of Lorraine D. Orsini of Schenectady, Jeffrey G. Hamblen of Phoenix, AZ, Sheila A. Kopchick and her husband, Michael T. of Colchester, CT and Geraldine Marie Relyea and her fiancé, Lawrence J. Mandeville of Seymour, CT. He is the cherished grandfather of Thomas William, Anne Lorraine and Mark Ernest Orsini, Kelsey Lorraine Hunter, Michelle Lyn Tafur, Kayla Marie and Joseph Michael Relyea and step-grandfather of Michael Peter and Thomas Bradley Kopchick and Joseph Lawrence and Jennifer Marie Mandeville. Gary is also survived by his loving and loyal sisters, Judith A. Parker of Clifton Park and Patricia K. (Thomas) DeLorenzo of Voorheesville, a niece, Valerie Parker and nephews, Kevin Parker and Michael, Mark and Matthew DeLorenzo. He is the nephew of Phyllis (Rex) Bogle and Arthur Winchip and cousin of Brett Winchip, all of Chestertown, NY. Gary was predeceased by his aunt, Jennie Hamblen of Brantford, Ontario Canada. Gary's family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Andrew Zhu and his staff at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and to the hospice staff of Middlesex Hospital in Middletown, CT for their help, kindness and support.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday morning at 9:00 at Christ the King Church, Guilderland. Calling hours will be Friday from 4:00 to8:00 p.m. at New Comer-Cannon Family Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie (Rt. 155-south of Central Ave). The parish family of Christ the King will gather at 4:30 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home for a service of prayer and remembrance. All are welcome. Interment will be in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Guilderland. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Albany College of Pharmacy, 106 New Scotland Ave., Albany, NY 12208 or the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, 55 Fruit St., Boston, MA 02114 in memory of Gary W. Hamblen.