Obituary of Romelo Versaci

Romolo U. Versaci, 84, of Schenectady, died Friday, December 30, 2011, at home surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Versaci was born in Schenectady, the son of Vincent and Amalia Allio Versaci. He was a 1944 graduate of Mont Pleasant High School, a cum laude graduate of Harvard College in 1949, Albany Law School in 1954 and was a World War II Navy veteran. Mr. Versaci entered private practice in 1955; was a law research clerk for the Schenectady County Court Judge in 1956 and 1957; attorney for Schenectady Municipal Housing Authority from 1970 to 1974; appointed Schenectady City Judge in 1975 and served as Assistant Corporation Counsel from 1988 to 1989. He tried hundreds of cases to completion throughout the state of New York, primarily civil personal injury cases. In his retirement, he developed a passion for cooking and would tirelessly research recipes and share them with his family and friends. He also had a love of languages, particularly the Italian language and of the origins of words and their meanings. Each new interest he undertook with exhaustive research, passion and attention to detail, developing new interests even into his last years of life. His family and friends will remember him most for his loyalty, his tenacious pursuit of justice for his clients, his unique perspective on life and that he marched to the beat of his own drummer, even up to the last moments of his life. He was a member of the Schenectady County Bar Association and a communicant of St. Joseph's Church. Romolo is survived by his wife of 47 years, Eileen (Mooney) Versaci, Schenectady City Clerk and one son, The Honorable Vincent (Tina) Versaci; a brother, Armand Versaci, MD; three grandchildren, Caroline, Rosemarie and Michael Versaci; and many nieces and nephews. Romolo was predeceased by his sisters and brother, Ida, Enis and Antonio Versaci, MD. Funeral service will be held Thursday morning at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church (State Street), where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Calling hours are on Wedenesday afternoon, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the evening, at Daly Funeral Home, Inc., 242 McClellan St., Schenectady. Interment, Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna. The Versacis wish to thank Community Hospice of Schenectady for the kindness and care extended to Romolo and their family. Memorial contributions may be made in Romolo Versaci's name, to St. Joseph's Church, 225 Lafayette St., Schenectady, NY 12305 or Community Hospice of Schenectady, 1411 Union St., Schenectady, NY 12308