Obituary of Albert T. Panara

Albert T. Panara Albert T. Panara, 95, of Rome, passed away on Sunday, December 25, 2016 at Bethany Gardens. He was born in Silvercreek, NY on November 29, 1921 son of the late Aldo and Julia DiRenzo Panara. Al graduated from South Park High School, Buffalo, NY in 1940. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard after enlisting on October 23, 1942. Al was stationed on the U.S.S. Leonard Wood APA13 and was deployed in the American/Asiatic Pacific Theaters. He received the Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal and World War II Victory Medal. Al received an Honorable Discharge on March 28, 1946. On September 25, 1948 he married Gloria Jean Uvanni in St. John the Baptist Church. Together they enjoyed a blessed union in marriage of 67 years. She passed away on December 14, 2015. Al owned and operated Crest Dry Cleaners with his brother Anthony, retiring in 1990. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Church, life-time member of Henry P. Smith Post #24 American Legion and served as Baseball Chairman. In addition, Al was a life-time member of the V.F.W. # 2246, a member of Knights of Columbus Council # 391, Rome Rotary Club and New York State Civil Defense. He was also a member of the Men's Society of St. John the Baptist Church and was a volunteer for the Guild at Bethany Gardens. A highlight of Al's life was when he was selected to participate in the Oneida County WWII Memorial Trip for Veterans to Washington D.C., in May 2007. In addition to his family, his greatest passion was his involvement with the Smith Post Baseball program where he served as Baseball Chairman for many years. He also enjoyed the many hours spent through the years playing cards with his friends. Surviving are two sons and a daughter-in-law, David (Janet Todd) Panara, Marlton, NJ, Paul and Cynthia Panara, Rome, a daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Richard Meiss, Rome, grandchildren; David, Lori, Melissa, Kristen, Thomas, Marc, Jennifer, Matthew and seven great grandchildren, a brother Anthony Panara, Rome, a sister and brother-in-law, Diane and Tom Maher, Williamsville, NY, a sister-in-law, Carmella Panara, Lakeland, FL and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Gloria, his parents, brothers; Joseph and Ned Panara and sisters-in-law; Eileen and Joy Panara. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, December 29, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church with the Rev. Paul F. Angelicchio officiating. Burial will follow in St. John the Baptist Cemetery. Friends may call at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 7751 Merrick Rd., on Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made in Albert's memory to St. John the Baptist Church, 210 E. Dominick St., Rome, NY 13440; Smith Post #24 Baseball Fund, 325 Erie Blvd. W., Rome, NY 13440 or Bethany Gardens Activities Fund, 800 W. Chestnut St., Rome, NY 13440 To offer online condolences, please visit www.njbushfuneralhome.com