Roland J. Hildenbrandt, Sr.

Roland J. Hildenbrandt, 89, of Colonie passed away peacefully, after a brief illness on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at St. Peter's Hospital with his family by his side. He was born in Rotterdam, New York on April 7, 1922 to the late Louis and Anna (Brown) Hildenbrandt. Roland worked 40 years for the Town of Colonie Highway Department, retiring in 1986 as Highway Maintenance Supervisor. Roland served in the South Pacific during World War II as a Fireman 1st Class in the United States Coast Guard. Roland received many awards during his service. He enjoyed boating and snowmobiling and in his later years traveling in his RV with friends and family to his favorite places, especially Myrtle Beach and Maine. Roland enjoyed his lobsters in Maine and his crab legs at Crabby Mike's in Myrtle Beach. Roland belonged to many organizations including the Colonie Elk's #2192, was a life member of the VFW Post 8692 and past Commodore of the Ravena Coeymans Yacht Club. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife Mary (Bryda) Hildenbrandt and his four siblings Reed, Charles, Joseph and Lois (Hildenbrandt) Lynch. He was also predeceased by two of his five children Roland Hildenbrandt, Jr., Linda (Hildenbrandt) Van Iderstine and his son-in-law Richard Van Iderstine, Jr.
Roland is survived by his beloved wife of 28 years, Sandra (Sabey) Hildenbrandt, his sister-in-law Linda Sabey of Inverness, Fla., his son James (Debby) Hildenbrandt of Watervliet, his daughter Christine Hildenbrandt of Allentown, PA, Joan (Bob) Burgess of East Berne. Also survived by his grandchildren, Tammy (Bruce) Hunt, Roland (Tina) Hildenbrandt III, James (JoAnn) Hildenbrandt, Michael (Nancy) Hildenbrandt, David (Jen) Hildenbrandt, Richard (Lisa) Van Iderstine III, Jeffrey (Tina) Van Iderstine, Linda "Liddy" Van Iderstine, James (Ashli) Hildenbrandt, Paul (Denise) Hildenbrandt, Christopher, Nicholas and Melissa Burgess. Additionally, he is survived by 13 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Sandy would like to express heartfelt gratitude to Lea Conaway, Mike Chiera, Linda and Tony Nash, Jean and Pat Nash and the Eddy Visiting Nurses for the wonderful care they provided for Roland the last month of his life. Also during Roland's illness, the devotion of his grandchildren, especially the care giving by Tammy, Richie and Nicholas will be forever appreciated.
Roland will always be remembered for his dry sense of humor and calling a spade a spade. He lived his life to the fullest. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Heart Association, Heart Gifts Processing Center, PO Box 3049 Syracuse, NY 13220-3049, would be appreciated.
Funeral Services will be Saturday at 10:00 am at New Comer Cannon Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie. Calling hours will be Friday from 4 to 7 at the funeral home. Interment will follow the service at Memory Garden's, Colonie.