Raymond J. Laurenzo, 70

BENNINGTON, Vt. — Raymond Joseph Laurenzo, 70, a former resident and fire chief of Mechanicville, N.Y., passed away peacefully on Father's Day, Sunday June 18, 2017, at the Albany Stratton VA Facility in Albany.

The son of Armond J. and Emma A. (Huffman) Laurenzo, Ray was born in Troy, N.Y., on September 15, 1946. He grew up in Mechanicville and graduated from Mechanicville High School. Following high school, he entered the US Navy where he served aboard the USS Forrestal. He received his honorable discharge in 1969. He then went to work as a train engineer for the B&M and D&H Railroads , traveling throughout the Northeast.

For many years, Ray had worked at the Albany Stratton VA Facility as a Psychiatric Nursing Assistant. Following his retirement, he worked as a greeter at the Wal -Mart Stores in Clifton Park and Bennington. Ray had resided in Bennington for the past several years with his daughter, Danielle.

Ray was a member of the Mechanicville Fire Department for over 50 years and had held nearly every position, including Fire Chief for many years. He was a member of the Putnam Hose Company of the Bennington Fire Department for more than 10 years. He was a former member of the V.F.W. in Mechanicville.

Ray had been an assistant coach on the Saratoga Catholic High School Varsity Softball Team and he coached for many years with the Mechanicville-Stillwater Lassie League and Mechanicville Little League. He loved camping with his family and being at the firehouse with his friends, either in Mechanicville or Bennington.

He leaves his son Raymond and his wife Lisa Laurenzo of Stillwater, N.Y., daughters Diane and husband James Leonard of Halfmoon, N.Y., Danielle and husband Stephen Simmons of Bennington and Marlene and husband Steven Herrington of Mechanicville, N.Y.; grandchildren Scott and Rachelle Leonard, Cassandra and Alison Simmons, and Michael and Nicholas Herrington; brothers Vincent and Robin Laurenzo of Stillwater and Richard and wife Dawn Laurenzo of Richfield Springs; sister Elizabeth Laurenzo of Rensselear, N.Y.; his former wife Teresa Laurenzo of Halfmoon; longtime best friends Gail Isles and Vic Rosetti; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ray's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of 8B, ICU and oncology department of the Albany Stratton VA facility for the care he received during his stay.

Funeral notice: Funeral services with full military honors will be held on Thursday, June 22, 2017, at 11 a.m. at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, a prayer service will be held at the Chase-Smith Family Funeral Home , 319 Park Ave., in Mechanicville at 9:30 a.m. The family will receive friends at the Chase-Smith Funeral Home on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m., the visitation time will close with prayers.

Memorial gifts may be made in Ray's name to either the Albany Stratton VA Hematology/Oncology Department or the Mechanicville or Bennington Fire Department in care of the Hanson Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home, 213 West Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201, which is handling arrangements.