Obituary of Robert C. Taranto

Robert (Bob) Taranto, passed peacefully and surrounded by his family on June 11, 2023.  He was born on June 19, 1930 to Nick and Jane Taranto, in Albany. He attended Christian Brothers Academy in Albany, and graduated in 1948. He was a noted high school baseball player, who was named to the All Albany baseball teams and recognized as an all-star short stop. Bob was scouted by the Brooklyn Dodgers and went to Cambridge, Maryland for tryouts following his graduation from CBA. In 1950, following his stint in Maryland, he attended Boston College and graduated in 1954. After graduating from BC, he served in the army, was stationed in Germany, and chosen to become a member of the army baseball team. He also officiated basketball, football, baseball, and boxing.  After his discharge from the army, Bob became an accountant for Callanan Industries and remained there until his retirement.

In 1961, he married Rosemary Marcelle and together they created a wonderful home for their children. After raising their family, Bob and Rosemary settled in Slingerlands. Upon his retirement he read, enjoyed time outdoors, watched Yankee games, and relished time spent with his beloved grandchildren who loved “Granddad” with all their hearts.

His children and grandchildren adored him for his gentle, kind, and compassionate, manner. He taught them through example by showing how to appreciate all the good in others, to accept life’s challenges without complaint, and carry on without regret. In addition to his example, he offered apt words of advice that always resonated. His wit and dry sense of humor were unforgettable and his humor always appeared when it was unexpected and most needed. Bob was a brilliant man who was well-read, well-traveled, enjoyed sports, classical music, and the opera. He could design and build anything, having designed plans for the home he shared for many years with his wife, Rosemary.  Bob was also a man of great integrity and loyalty who never found it necessary to speak of his accomplishments whether related to school, the army, or the baseball field. He loved his family profoundly which showed in the way he cared for all his children including his two daughters with special needs, who remained in Bob and Rosemary’s care until two years ago.  He gave his family the best of everything in every sense. He will forever be remembered as the voice of reason and wisdom that guided everyone through both the good and difficult times.  He was dearly loved.

Bob was predeceased by his parents, Nicholas and Jane (Orlando); his brother, Joseph, sister Rosemary Tumasone, and brother-in-law (Ernest).  He is survived by his devoted wife of nearly 62 years, Rosemary (Marcelle) of Slingerlands, who he knew since elementary school. Also left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Jenean (Kenneth Watson) of Slingerlands; Maryjo, Nicolean both of the Pinewood Residence in Guilderland; his son Robert (Margaret) of Slingerlands; and his grandchildren, Matthew (Mollie) of Sharon, MA; Anna of Brighton, MA; Nicholas Watson; Robert, Hannah, and Christopher Taranto all of Slingerlands. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Thomas Fori (Judee) of Coxsackie; Theresa Smith of Upland CA; Anthony Tumasone of Valencia, CA; Ruthann Gozemba (Paul) of Saratoga Springs; Tom Marcelle (Elena) of Slingerlands, Lawrence Marcelle (Diane) of Saratoga Springs; and Edward Marcelle (Diane) of Mineral, VA.  He is also survived by many grand-nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express its gratitude to the kind and compassionate members of St. Peter’s hospice and in particular to his nurse Kaitlyn whose weekly visits lifted Bob’s spirits. The family is also grateful to Dr. Sean Roche for the care and comfort given to Bob over the course of many years and to Dr. Barbara Brazis who was always available at moment’s notice as a friend and physician.

Friends and relatives are invited to join the family for calling hours on Monday, June 19 from 4-7 p.m. at the Applebe Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave.  in Delmar. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 20 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 35 Adams Place, Delmar with burial to follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Ravena.

For those who wish to do so, donations may be made in Bob’s memory to: Lexington Foundation ARC, 2736 NY30, Gloversville, New York 12078.