Rensselaer - John “Jack” Frederick Spath, 89, passed away on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 at the Teresian House Center for the Elderly, surrounded by his loving family.
Jack was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Mary Lourdes Donnelly Spath, his parents, Charles A. and Henrietta Myers Spath, his infant brother, Charles Spath, his sisters, Hilda Spath Smith and Betty Spath Pratt, his daughters Marybeth Spath Zagata and Anne Spath Rosenthal and his infant grandson James Spath.

Jack is survived by his nine children, John P. (Carol); Charles (Dorothy); James (MaryAnn); Edward (Anne); Timothy (Jill); William (Janet); Thomas (Marybeth); Joan Krege (Christopher) and Margaret Preston (Joel). He is also survived by his two sons-in-law, John Zagata and Roger Rosenthal; two sisters-in-law, Margaret Monahan and Charlotte Donnelly and by his cherished 34 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Jack was a 1944 graduate of St. John's Academy in Rensselaer, NY. After high school, Jack enrolled at Siena College before entering the service. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II, on the USS Knoxville.

He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Magna Cum Laude) from Russell Sage College in 1958.

Jack worked for NYS Office of Standards and Purchase and then the Office of General Services for 43 years. His career started as a Mail I Supply Clerk. During his career, he rose to the position of the Director of Purchasing for OGS, retiring in 1987.

He was a longtime member and Past President of the National Association of State Purchasing Officials.

Jack was a member of the Third Order of St. Francis at St. Anthony's on the Hudson in Rensselaer. He was a past trustee and a member of the Finance Committee of the former St. Joseph's Church in Rensselaer and a member of the School Board of the former St. John's Academy. He was an Honorary Life Member of the Rensselaer Knights of Columbus Council #267 serving the Knights for 54 years.

He enjoyed vacationing with his family in Cape Cod and Cape May, especially when his children or grandchildren surprised him with hot fudge sundaes.

Jack loved playing golf with his friends and especially enjoyed trips to NYC to attend Broadway Shows and visiting Saratoga Race Track with his family.

The family would like to thank the health care staff and religious community of the Teresian House as well as the staff at Eddy Hawthorne Ridge for the years of compassionate care and support they provided both Jack and his family.

Funeral from the W. J. Lyons Jr. Funeral Home, 1700 Washington Avenue, Rensselaer on Monday at 9 am and 10 am at the Church of St. John the Evangelist and St. Joseph, 50 Herrick Street, Rensselaer, NY where the Liturgy of Christian Death and Burial will be offered. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 2-6 pm. Interment will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, East Greenbush, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Anne’s Quest Foundation, C/O The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region, The Regional Center for Philanthropy, 6 Tower Place, Albany, NY 12203. www.annesquest.org.

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