Scott R. Stacey

ALBANY- Scott R. Stacey, 66, beloved husband of Suzanne O'Connor, passed away suddenly from heart complications on August 4,2023 at Albany Medical Center.

Scott was born in Glens Falls, NY, son of the late Ralph and Katherine (Becker) Stacey. He was predeceased in 2006 by his beloved brother Robin. Scott grew up in Greenfield Center and graduated from Saratoga Springs High School, Clarkson University and Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He was an exceptional baseball player whose career began in Little League and continued through high school, college and a semi-pro team.

Scott was a brilliant man with a photographic memory and a love of learning - a true Renaissance man. His college degrees were in engineering and music education. As a professional musician, he played percussion with Albany Symphony Orchestra for over 30 years. Highlights of his music career included playing at Carnegie Hall and performing with professionals such as John Denver, Phyllis Diller, The Moody Blues and Yes. Further, after learning tennis as a young adult, he studied the game and became a teaching tennis pro at several area country clubs. Among other sports he mastered were golf, football, basketball and field hockey.

At heart Scott was a gifted teacher and role model. He taught music and math in middle schools and high schools for most of his professional life. A challenging teacher who pushed his students to do their best, he was also a mentor to countless young musicians and tennis players/coaches. In his fifties he accomplished a total career change and morphed into a manager for GAT Airline Ground Support, Bio-Reference Laboratories, Inc. and Worldwide Freight Services where he continued to mentor his teams, carefully teaching safety, operations and life lessons.

In addition to Suzanne, his biggest fan and supporter, Scott is survived by his brother Ty, and sisters-in-law, Jacquie and Kathy; mother-in-law Corrine; brothers-in-law Paul (Elizabeth), James (Cynthia), Brian (Lisa) and Peter (Pamela) and sister-in-law Jeanne (Dennis). He was predeceased by his sister-in-law Nancy O'Connor with whom he had a special connection. Scott is also survived by several nieces and nephews: Sarah, Sean, Zack (Morgan), Christine (Joshua), Macie, Rosemary (Nicholas), Alex, Sr. Clare, Grace, Calvin (Kristina), Samuel, Joshua, Daniel and Theodore. Scott loved animals, typically preferring their company to humans. He and Suzanne parented 3 Labradors: Jake, Danny most recently Bear. Scott was a very private person who opened his heart to few friends, the closest being Chris and Gabriele Moriello and Joanne Richardson and the late Michael Richardson with whom he shared sports, hiking, camping, board games and laughter.

The family would like to thank the team at Albany Medical Center who did all they could to keep Scott with us. They were attentive and kind to a suddenly bereaved family. Special thanks to Jordan DeAngelo of Worldwide Freight Services (WFS) for his caring attention at the time of Scott's death. Although Scott was only with WFS for a short time, the company has extended tremendous generosity and kindness and we are most grateful.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his calling hours on Thursday, August 10, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 343 New Karner Road, Colonie, NY, with services following at 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Scott's name may be sent to: Autism Society Greater Hudson Region, 430 Franklin Street, 2nd Floor, Schenectady, NY 12305 asghr.org/you-can-help/donate/

To share a memory of Scott or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.