Obituary of Russell L. Hempel

Voorheesville - Russell S. Hempel, Sr., of Voorheesville, NY, passed away on September 5, 2011 at 4:50 p.m., after a long illness. He was born in Rensselaer, NY and moved to Voorheesville when he was 6 years old. Mr. Hempel was employed by several different truck tire companies including Terry Haggerty and J. H. Maloy. A patriotic man who was unable to serve during WWII because two brothers were already enlisted, he was a friend to the American Legion 1493, in Voorheesville. He volunteered many hours there and enjoyed spending time with all the people he loved. After retiring, he spent several years working part-time for Patterson Medical Repairs, Inc.. In the last years of his life, when illness kept him home, he became an avid baseball fan, routing for both the Mets and the Yankees. He loved spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. Beloved husband of 46 years to Diana (Schultz) Hempel, father of Susan Patterson of Altamont, NY, her husband Ron Patterson; Russell S. Hempel, Jr., of Baldwinsville, NY, his wife, Pamela Celestian; Wanda Martin of Feura Bush, NY, her husband Neil Martin; and Bernard LaBarbera (deceased). Grandfather to Nicholas and Vincent Patterson, Avery Rayne Hempel, Tara Martin, and Kyle, Justine and Victoria Buddie. He is survived by two of his nine siblings, Harold and William Hempel. Family and friends are invited to call at the Reilly & Son Funeral Home, 9 Voorheesville Ave., Voorheesville, NY, from 4 - 8 pm on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011. A funeral service will be held at Reilly & Son on Friday, Sept. 9th, 2011, at 11 a.m.. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens, Albany, NY. Those wishing to remember Russ in a special way, may send contributions to the Community Hospice, 445 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205 or the American Legion 1493, 31 Voorheesville Ave., Voorheesville, NY 12186.