Rensselaer County Run Thursday 2/28/19 & Friday 3/1/19 with photo Puccio, Paul S. CASTLETON Paul S. Puccio, 72, passed away peacefully, at home, on February 26, 2019 surrounded by his children and family. Paul was born September 7, 1947 in Mt. Vernon, NY. He is predeceased by his loving wife, Jerilyn (McCall) Puccio and father, Paul J. Puccio. He is survived by his mother, Margaret (DiPiero) Puccio; his faithful children Lauralyn (John) Kulpa, Paul (Amy) Puccio, Karilyn (Joe) Tremblay; adoring grandchildren, John Paul, Evan, and Kaelyn Kulpa, Acey and Trey Puccio, Dylan and Gracelyn Tremblay. Also survived by a sister, Jaime (Jim) Miller, brothers Robert (Joan) Puccio and Gary (Eileen) Puccio; sister-in-law Jacquelyn (Jack) Bliss and many nieces, nephews and cousins. After obtaining his Bachelors in Economics at the University of Rochester and a Masters in Public Administration at SUNY Albany, he began his lifelong dedication to public service. For more than 30 years, Paul’s passion and dedication effected change in various NY State agencies. He retired as the Executive Deputy Commissioner of the Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS). As a young man and father, who believed in government working for the people, he decided to run for the Schodack Central School Board in 1981. For the next 38 years, he challenged the community to be compassionate, inventive, and to always advocate for education and development. He motivated both students and parents to embrace technology and improve our community through education. He was President and a valued board member of the following schools: Tech Valley High School, Questar III, and Schodack Central Schools. In 2010, he was voted New York State School Board Member of the Year. With his vision to promote business and economic development he was appointed and has served continuously on the Town of Schodack Planning Board since 2006. His greatest accomplishment, however, was the love he shared with his wife and three children, providing for them constant encouragement and guidance. He loved golf and travel, he had the loudest ‘Dad’ whistle in the neighborhood, and enjoyed cheering on all the students who wore the Maple Hill Wildcats uniform. His skill in the kitchen and laughter will be remembered by all those who tasted his cooking and how he told us, “Don’t worry, you’ll like it,” when asked what he was cooking. The family would like to thank the staff of his Hospice Care team for their kindness. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the Ray Funeral Home, 59 Seaman Ave., Castleton, NY on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. The funeral service will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Castleton, NY where a Mass of Christian Death and Burial will be celebrated. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to a scholarship fund that will be setup in Paul’s name to continue his motto “Passion, Persistence, and Patience.” Checks can be sent to Schodack Central School District, attn L. Bryda, 1477 So. Schodack Rd. , Castleton, NY 12033. Notate P.Puccio Memorial in the memo field. Ray Funeral Service, Inc. 59 Seaman Ave. Castleton, NY 12033 (518)732-7663