John A. Paolucci

On November 6, 2025, John Anthony Paolucci, 100, of Cohoes, New York, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at the Eddy Village Green Nursing Home.

Born and raised in Albany, John was the son of Thomas A. and Mary Paolucci (Leone) and one of seven children. John graduated from Philip Schuyler High School in 1942, and went on to proudly serve his country in the United States Navy during World War II as a Fireman First Class aboard the USS Croaker submarine. During his distinguished service, he was awarded the American Theater Medal, Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Medal, and the Philippine Liberation Medal. He received his honorable discharge in 1946.

After returning home, he found the love of his life, Josie. John was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. John built a dedicated 37-year career with the New York Telephone Company in Albany, where he worked as a building facilities engineer until his retirement.

Quiet and humble by nature, John found joy in life’s simple moments. He was an avid golfer, playing well into his 90s, who earned two holes-in-one on his lifetime scorecard. He was a longtime member of Capital Hills Golf Course and Pinehaven Country Club. He would always be happy to provide golf improvement tips to his son, nephew Joe and his brother Tom. They will greatly miss and cherish those memories and lunch outings.

John also took great pride in his abundant vegetable and flower gardens, always eager to share their bounty with those he loved. In recent years, he enjoyed the challenge and fun of online poker.

John is survived by his beloved wife of 75 years, Josephine (Garino), his daughter Laura Paolucci Waterhouse (Jonathan), and his son John M. Paolucci (Marion). He was predeceased by his daughter-in-law Jill. He greatly cherished and will be dearly missed by his grandchildren Elizabeth Waterhouse (Lennart), Michael Paolucci and Daniel Paolucci. He was predeceased by his grandson Nicholas Paolucci.

John was also predeceased by his brothers Joseph Paolucci (Helen, predeceased) and Thomas A. Paolucci II (Barbara, predeceased), and his sister Palma Guiffre (Joseph, predeceased). He is survived by his brother Albert Paolucci (Mimi), and his sisters Lucy Bremm (John, predeceased) and Angie Riani (Barry, predeceased).

His family would like to thank all the staff at Eddy Village Green, Community Hospice and Brookdale Senior Living for the outstanding care they provided. John was always treated with utmost respect and genuine love and affection.

Services will be private.

To honor John’s life, the family requests that anyone wanting to make a memorial contribution can please send it to AIM Services Inc., a wonderful organization close to his heart that provides housing and services to help individuals with special needs including his grandson Michael; and or Community Hospice. Their caring staff guided John and his family through his terminal illness and grieving process.

Memorial donations may be made in John's name to www.aimservicesinc.org/donate (select Donate Now, then select Dedicate my Donation dropdown)

or to, www.communityhospice.org (select Donate Now, complete Tribute Information) or by clicking the link below.