Obituary of William Hay

Scotia - William M. Hay joined the Lord on April 15, 2016 in hospice care of the V.A. at Albany County Nursing Home. He had previously been in the loving care of his son, Michael Hay, at home for the past 3 1/2 years. William bravely fought a nine year battle with Alzheimer's disease. William was born in Schenectady on April 6, 1936 to Helen (O'Hara) and James Hay. He graduated from Nott Terrace High School in 1954 then studied at Siena College until which time he was drafted. He served in the US Army as a radar technician during the Korean War, stationed in California near the Golden Gate Bridge. He was forever proud to be a veteran. In his younger years, he enjoyed vacationing with his family in Maine. He was very involved in sports, especially following the Boston Red Sox. He coached and managed little league baseball for several years, including the 1974 and 1978 undefeated league champions (Team Jumpin Jacks) at Beukendaal Little League. William worked for the Saratogian Newspaper as a salesman and later was a school bus driver for Saratoga Springs City School District for 20 years. Bill enjoyed sports on television, daily car rides to Stewarts with his devoted son, Michael. He also enjoyed reading the newspaper at Schenectady Library, Chinese buffets and Fridays at the track. He was a practicing catholic at St. John the Evangelist Church. William was predeceased by his parents, Helen (O'Hara) Hay and James Hay; and by his loving wife, Ruth (Canaley) Hay. He is survived by his siblings, Kathleen Messitt, Jane Stavely and James Hay. Children include Debra Evans, Cynthia Evans, William (Tracey) Hay, Jr. and Michael Hay. He is also survived by Catherine Hay; and grandchildren, Molly Hay, Joshua, Zachary and Chloe Hay, Maxwell Heron and Jordan Traficante. There will be calling hours on Wednesday, April 20th from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Daly Funeral Home, 242 McClellan St., Schenectady. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, April 21, 2016 at 11 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church on Union St. in Schenectady. Interment will follow at the Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America or Stratton Veterans Administration Medical Center c/o Voluntary Services.