Recene, Peter J.

DELMAR-Peter James Recene, 74, went home to God on January 22, 2015, with his loving family surrounding him.

Peter was born March 14, 1940, and was the son of the late Peter Recene and Theresa Elizabeth "Liz" Carrk Recene. Peter and Liz, being an Italian immigrant and a first generation American, respectively, worked hard to make a fruitful and progressive life for their family, owning and running a grocery in Selkirk for many years.Peter, Sr, instilled many important life lessons in his children including the sanctity of family, the value of hard work, the fair treatment of others, and the appreciation of freedoms in his new country. It was too soon that Peter, Sr, suddenly left this world when his sons were mere teenagers. The loss was a vast one, causing the family to come together to survive, sending young Peter away from the life of a normal teenager in the 50's, to one of hard work and responsibility, running his parents' store in his Dad's absence. He was forced to leave the Vincentian Institute in Albany, where he was attending high school, to take a year off from academics.This stark change in life, caused him to grow up quickly, assuming the responsibility, not of a son, but that of a head of household to his mother and younger brother, Robert. His days went from attending high school and hobbies to that of an adult work day at age 15, driving his mother to and from the store each day and working along side her.

After a year, Peter was able to return to school, this time going locally to RCS, where he met his long time sweetheart and wife, Joyce Dascher. It is heartwarming and funny to hear the two describe their first meetings;Peter indicating that Joyce was the "cutest little thing", and Joyce noticing a strong, tanned handsome, young man with a full head of curly black hair. Peter was a dapper dresser and Joyce was scholarly and wore bobby socks and poodle skirts.They dated for years, and went to many dances together.They had many friends, whose company they enjoyed and still enjoy today. After Peter graduated from High School, he went to work and Joyce, a Senior at RCS, would wait for him at his mother's after school to return home, where they would enjoy drives in his sporty red Pontiac convertible, friends, and each other's company.

The couple went their separate ways a year later, Joyce attending Harpur College in Binghamton, and Peter going to work for Albany Felt Company in his father's footsteps. From there he went to Officer's Candidate School in Fort Benning, GA and served in the Army Reserves. He received a scholarship to attend the Philadelphia Institute of Technology where he studied for a year before returning to New York to attend SUNY Oneonta. Joyce later graduated from Russell Sage in Troy.Their experiences proved to be growing ones for each of them. Joyce and Peter had a chance meeting after her graduation, at a local supper club, where the two were reunited from that day on.They were married in August 1966 and started a life in Coeymans together, Peter working at multiple jobs, including Division for Youth Services at Camp Cass, a bartender and M'aitre de at various restaurants, and teaching PE at St Patrick's school to provide the funds to furnish their home and start their life together. Peter often joked that he stopped "seeing" his paycheck when they got engaged, as Joyce was the financial manager of their new life. He also joked that their honeymoon was decided upon on their wedding, night;Joyce asking where they were going, and Peter's response: "I'll tell you after we open the wedding envelopes."

They bought their first home in Coeymans, an old colonial that Peter worked tirelessly rehabbing. It was a beautiful place to start their family, which they did in 1969, with the birth of their daughter, Jennifer.They were blessed with two more daughters, Kate and Karen in the coming years. Peter realized that with many mouths to feed, he needed to focus his efforts on business and he went to work for Reliance Insurance as a Claims Adjuster. He was sent on a mission to tornado destroyed Kentucky in 1974 for several months.This work earned him the honorary designation of "Kentucky Colonel", of which he was proud. He then was hired by AIG as a branch manager, where his smarts, management skill and well-rounded personality was quickly noticed and he was promoted.This began his life's work in the Insurance industry, later taking a job as a branch manager at Fort Orange Claims, before starting his own company at the age of 57. He is known and respected by many in the Insurance industry. His life afforded him the ability to travel both within the US and to Europe and he thoroughly enjoyed his ski trips to CO and the opportunity to travel internationally, something of which he had never dreamed as the hard-working son of an Italian immigrant. He was accomplished and worldly.Through his hard work, he was able to put three daughters through college and provide a comfortable life for his family, who had moved to Delmar. He prided himself and instilled in his daughters, his deep-rooted values:a strong work ethic, a welcoming home with good food and family dinners, and the love of family and friends. He was always very active in their upbringing, making time from work to coach each one of them in the Bethlehem Tomboys softball league (he wore a "T" hat like no one!). He taught each of them to swim and later lifeguard, to drive a "stick" shift, and to bartend. He would often say, if there are no other jobs available, "You will always be able to find a job as a bartender!"Pete had a great sense of humor, sometimes at others' expense. He would confide in a few, that during social outings, he would have two pockets of cigars in his coat: the "good" cigar pocket and the "bad" cigar pocket. All he encountered would be offer a cigar, depending on how much he liked you, would decide from which pocket.

Life was full and satisfying, but became more enriched with the birth of his two grandchildren, Peter James (PJ) and Madeline Hope (Maddie).There was nothing that derived him more joy than the time spent with them. Playing trains with PJ, setting up an art studio for the two of them to paint, riding them both on his John Deere tractor, "working" with him at his desk, recording them on video and playing pool in his basement office; he took great pride in all their growth and accomplishments. He was "Big Pete" to Myles, his step grandson, enjoying their time playing trains and visiting him in RI. He loved being with his family and was fortunate to take many trips with his close and extended family.These were the times that they could all be close, enjoying each other's company. Nothing made him happier than his whole family being together for a trip or a holiday, enjoying each others' diverse and quick-witted personalities.

Losing his sight caused him to retire earlier than he would have liked, as he always wanted to remain working.Through his own efforts and that of many friends, he remained active, working out three days a week at the Bethlehem YMCA. He loved the community there, making many new friends of all ages.Thanks to the Association of the Blind, he remained well-read and sharp, spending hours reading and listening to books on tape. He enjoyed new interests too, through a painting class where he directed his creativity into painting landscapes and a Civil War club. He enjoyed his weekly breakfasts and lunches with old friends and newer ones alike."Pete" was always a great conversationalist, a true Renaissance man, having so many varied life experiences from which to draw upon. Many who know him say that they enjoyed their conversation so that the hours spent talking felt like minutes.

Pete will be greatly missed by all that know and love him .He leaves us with many wonderful memories and a special place in our hearts from which we will continue to celebrate his life. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Joyce Dascher Recene; his daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer Recene Gallagher and James Gallagher; his daughter E. Katherine Recene and her partner, Barbara K. Willis; his daughter, Karen A. Recene; his brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Dawn Recene; his grandchildren, PJ and Maddie Gallagher and many other nieces, nephews, cousins, close friends and extended family.

A celebration of Peter's life will be held Monday, January 26, 2015 at 9:30 am in St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Delmar. Relatives and friends are invited and may also call at the Norman E. Dascher Funeral Home, 490 Delaware Ave. Albany on Sunday, January 25, 2015 from 2-5 pm. Burial will take place in the spring. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may send memorial contributions to Spina Bifida Assn. of NENY, 123 Saratoga Rd., Scotia, NY 12302 or First Church of Albany (Food Pantry), 110 N. Pearl St., Albany, NY 12207 or NE Assn. of Blind at Albany, 301 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12206.

Guests are encouraged and welcome to bring or wear New York Yankees apparel to Pete's services in camaraderie with Pete and Joyce's lifelong appreciation of the team.