Tunison Funeral Home
http://www.tunisonfuneralhome.com
Conrad S. Kuchay, 88, of Glenville, NY, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2021, at the Wesley Health Care Center, due to complications from Covid-19. Con was born November 2, 1932, to his late parents, Conrad and Helen Kuchay.
Con attended Draper High School in Rotterdam, NY, and graduated in 1949 at the age of 16. He enlisted in the Navy and served 4 years as a fleet musician based in San Diego. Upon discharge, he entered The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, where he earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in Music Education. He also received a degree in Education Administration from the University of Albany.
Con's 35-year career began teaching Band and Instrumental Music at Onteora and Roxbury Central Schools. In 1964, he began teaching at Linton High School in Schenectady, NY. In 1975, he was appointed Music Department Chairman, a position he held until his retirement in 1994.
Over the course of 62 years, Con taught numerous private music students. Meeting with former music alumni, and hearing about their accomplishments, were some of his proudest moments. He always saw the best in them and made them strive for excellence in the classroom and on stage. Their sincere expressions of gratitude were heartfelt and generous, regarding his profound influence on their education and later careers.
As a musician of clarinet and saxophone, he performed with the Albany Symphony Orchestra, The New York City Ballet Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and numerous star attractions at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. For 28 years, Con conducted the Wind Ensemble for the New York State Summer School of the Arts.
Con was also an athlete and an avid sports enthusiast throughout his life. He played baseball at Draper High School and 4 years at SUNY Potsdam. He went on to play catcher for the Homer Braves, a minor league affiliate of The Boston Braves. Con was a dedicated New York Yankees and New York Giants fan. Over the past several years, Con enjoyed being a member of the Schenectady Old Timers Baseball Club.
Left to cherish his memories are his loving wife of 30 years, Patricia (Gage, Snyder) Kuchay. His children, Kathleen Kuchay of Arizona, Robert (Suzanne) Kuchay of Virginia, Laura Rohe of New Mexico, Paul Kuchay of Connecticut, and Daryl Kuchay of Scotia. Stepchildren, Rick (Laura) Snyder, and Pamela (Gregg) Schorr. Grandchildren, Scott Moliason, Theresa and Christopher Rohe, Garrett and Kason Snyder and Megan and Tara Schorr, sister Alice (George) Fry, nephew George (Colleen) Fry, niece Nancy (Joe) Reilly, brother-in-law and sister-in-law George and Audrey Gage. He truly loved his dogs, Maggie and Munson.
The family would like to thank the nurses and aides, especially Kristie Cannizzaro, on 3 Hathorn at Wesley Health Care Center, who lovingly cared for Con over the past year, and to Brittany Miske, NP from Optum Health Care.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Animal Protective Foundation, 53 Maple Avenue, Glenville, NY 12302.
Burial with full military honors will at 1:00pm on Tuesday, January 19, at the Gerald BH Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery 200 Duell Rd. Schuylerville, NY 12871. The service will be streamed on the Tunison Funeral Home Facebook Page at 1pm.
Online condolences may be made at, www.tunisonfuneralhome.com
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