Obituary of Charles Steiner

Niskayuna - Charles P. Steiner, 66, of Niskayuna, NY, President of the Chamber of the Capital Region, died April 18, 2017 peacefully at home from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rare brain disorder. Born in Neenah, Wisconsin, on August 13, 1950, to the late Walter and Ethel Steiner, Steiner grew up in Lewiston, NY and graduated from Niagara County Community College, where he was the first recipient of the NCCC Distinguished Alumni Award, and then SUNY Oswego. In 1980, he began a 22 year career with the Niagara Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, serving as its President and CEO until December 2001. In the late 1980s-90s he was one of the architects of the highly successful "Festival of Lights" an event that attracted tens of thousands to downtown Niagara Falls over 44 days during the holiday season. The event was once named as a Top 100 Event in North America. Working together with business leaders, the Small Business Council, Plant Manager's Association and the Niagara Beautification Committee thrived. Chamber membership grew to more than 2300. He was especially proud of his part in the establishment of the Niagara Military Affairs Council (NIMAC) and Leadership Niagara. A Certified Chamber Executive (CCE), he twice served as President of the Chamber Alliance of New York State. Steiner was named President and CEO of the Chamber of Schenectady County in 2002 until July 2015 at which time he became President of the new Capital Region Chamber of Commerce, the affiliation of the Chamber of Schenectady County and the Albany Colonie Chamber of Commerce. He was particularly proud of the Chamber's work in the revitalization of Schenectady and the region. With committed volunteers and community partners, he helped establish the Schenectady Military Affairs Council (SMAC) to advocate for the 109th Airlift Wing, eventually expanding it to become the United Military Affairs Council (UMAC) which advocates for military installations region-wide. A member of Zion Lutheran Church and active in the community he was a Rotarian for more than 40 years. He was recently named a Paul Harris Fellow. He served on numerous boards including the United Way of Schenectady, the task force to form the United Way of the Capital Region and CEG. The family will always be deeply grateful for the care and kindness shown Chuck at Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital as well as by Dr. Naseer Chowdhrey, Dr. Joseph Fusella, Dr. George Giokas, and Dr. Ken Shapiro. In addition to his parents, Chuck was predeceased by his first wife, Karen Shull Steiner. Chuck was happiest spending time with his family, children and grandchildren. Surviving to cherish his memory are his wife, Marcy Mann Steiner; sons, Matthew (Nicole) Steiner, North Caldwell, NJ and Mark (Kara) Steiner, Tampa, FL; stepchildren, Kate (Tom) Quagliana, Williamsville, NY; Thomas (Kimberly) Traverse; Haw River, NC and Colleen, (Josh) Riggan, Stem, NC. "Pops" to his beloved grandchildren, Christopher, Nicholas, Jackson, Noah, Daniel, Alexis, Nora, Joel, Gabrielle, Ariel and Isabella, they were the light of his life. Also surviving are his mother-in-law, Helen P. Mann, Willliamsville, NY; three brothers, Thomas (Margi) Steiner, Wauconda, IL; Jerry (Susan) Steiner, Brunswick, ME; and Jeff (Linda) Steiner, Tampa, FL; brothers and sisters-in-law, Michael (Judy) Mann, Williamsville, NY; Susan Mann (late Frank) Dolce, Buffalo, NY; Mary (Richard) DeGuilio, Youngstown, NY; Timothy (Kerry) Mann, Chapel Hill, NC; and Sara (David) Kahris, Buffalo, NY; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews, dear friends and colleagues in Schenectady and Western NY. Calling hours are Friday, April 21, 2017 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Daly Funeral Home, 242 McClellan Street, Schenectady. Funeral services will be Saturday, April 22, 2017 at 1 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 153 Nott Terrace, Schenectady. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Those wishing to remember Chuck in a special way may send a memorial gift to Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, 127 Belmont Avenue, Schenectady, NY; Schenectady County Community College Foundation Scholarship Fund, 78 Washington Avenue, Schenectady, NY; Niagara County Community College Foundation for a new scholarship in Chuck's memory, 28 Old Falls Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14303 or to Zion Lutheran Church, 153 Nott Terrace, Schenectady, NY.