Henry A. DeCotis

COLONIE- Henry Allen DeCotis, 77, passed away peacefully at home on July 3, 2026. Born on January 8, 1949, he was the son of the late Kathryn (Van decar) DeCotis and Frank DeCotis.

Henry grew up in Watervliet, New York and attended St Brigid’s school. He graduated from Christian Brothers Academy, Boston College and Albany Law School. He served the people of New York State as an attorney in the Real Property Bureau for 33 years, beginning as a junior attorney doing title searches, serving ten years as Deputy Bureau Chief and more than sixteen years as the Assistant Attorney General in Charge of the Real Property Bureau. His work leading the bureau included oversight of State land acquisition and coordination with many State agencies for a number of purposes, including highway improvement projects, power transmission projects, and adding thousands of acres to the State Forest Preserve. After his retirement, he served as the attorney for the Village of Colonie.

He is remembered as both a good person and a good lawyer, supervisor and friend. In his young adulthood, he participated in local bowling leagues and was a member of the Elks Lodge. Henry loved a good conversation, and often reminisced on cookouts and card games with friends and shared stories about his childhood spent with his cousins and neighborhood friends, often around the kitchen table surrounded by family. Henry was excited to share his love of building Lego sets with his grandson and watching him grow.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Barbara (Belles) DeCotis, son Christopher DeCotis, daughter Susan Crew (Geoffrey), and grandson Darwin Crew.

A visitiation will be held on Thursday July 9th from 4pm-7pm at New Comer Cremations and Funerals, 343 New Karner Rd Colonie. 

A Mass will follow on Friday July 10th at Christ the King church, 20 Sumter Ave, Albany. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Colonie EMS Benevolent Association. Donations may be made online at https://www.cemsba.org/donate/

A donation may also be made by check, made payable to “Colonie EMS Benevolent Association” or “CEMSBA” and sent to:

Colonie EMS Benevolent Association, Inc. PO Box 11076 Albany, NY 12211