Chief Warren W. Abriel Jr.

Albany-Warren W. Abriel, Jr., 76, of Albany, NY entered eternal life surrounded by his loving family on April 3, 2025. He was born January 19, 1949, in Albany, New York, the oldest child of Warren Sr. and Gladys (Hart) Abriel. Warren was raised in North Albany, attended School 20, Philip Livingston and graduated from Albany High School. At a young age Warren, a fourth-generation firefighter, acquired a love for the fire service as his father, Warren Sr., grandfather, Franklin Abriel, and great grandfather, Reuben Abriel, all were members of the Albany Fire Department dating back to 1867. Before joining the Albany Fire Department in 1972, Warren briefly attended Hudson Valley Community College and then served his country by joining the United States Navy where he was a Gunners Mate Technician 2nd Class between 1967-1971 on the USS Canopus based in Holy Loch, Scotland. Over his 46 years of service with the Albany Fire Department, Warren was appointed to the positions of Firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief, Deputy Chief, Executive Deputy Chief and Chief. While working at the Albany Fire Department, Warren earned an Associate’s Degree from Schenectady County Community College, a Bachelor’s Degree from Empire State College and a Masters of Public Administration from Russell Sage College. For nearly three decades Warren was a part-time Tutor/Advisor for the National Fire Academy program run through Empire State College and also served as a New York State Fire Instructor for six years. Warren was awarded in 2006 the Arnold L. Steigman Award by the State Academy of Public Administration recognizing excellence in teaching public administration. Warren’s professional associations included the International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Fire Protection Association, New York State Association of Fire Chiefs and State Academy for Public Administration. Warren most recently served as a Commissioner on the Albany Port District Commission, a Member of the City of Albany Water Board and a Member of the Albany Firefighters Museum Board. For fun, Warren enjoyed watching his grandsons’ sporting events, including hundreds of baseball games, including ten years at Tri-Village Little League, multiple New York State Little League Championship Tournaments and Cooperstown Dreams Park Tournaments and Bethlehem High School Baseball. Warren enjoyed dinners and breakfasts with friends and family, following the stock market, watching professional golf events, attending USS Canopus reunions and chronicling the history of the Albany Fire Department, particularly the 46 years during which he was a member. Warren was also an avid photographer and fan of the James Bond franchise and the music of Roy Orbison and Gene Pitney. Later in life Warren took up the sport of golf and enjoyed playing many rounds with his friends and family at Wolfert’s Roost Country Club (where he was active with the ROB’s), Town of Colonie Golf Course, Seven Oaks Golf Course and Lake Buena Vista Golf Club. Warren also enjoyed a long affiliation with the University Club of Albany, where he served as its President, and was an active participant in its Tuesday night bowling league and annual Duck Dinner. Warren enjoyed vacationing with his family at Disney World and Ogunquit, Maine, and spending time with family at Lake Moraine, Hamilton, New York. Warren’s life was exemplified by his service to others and he was a generous and humble man of great faith and he had a quick wit, wonderful sense of humor and big heart. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends, but he would also want everyone to be comforted by the fact that he lived a full, meaningful and prosperous life and leaves behind a lasting family legacy, including a grandson and several nephews in the fire service. Warren is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Mary Theresa; his daughter, Michele; his son-in-law, John N. Vagianelis; and his grandsons William N. Vagianelis and John J. Vagianelis (Jack); his sister, Linda Meservey and sisters-in-law, Janet Abriel and Linda Abriel and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Warren was predeceased by his brothers, Theodore Abriel and Henry Abriel; brother-in-law, Bruce Meservey, and infant granddaughter, Cathryn Marie Vagianelis. Relatives and friends and invited to visit with Warren’s family Sunday, April 6, 2025 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 N. Allen St., Albany NY 12206. Please enter the funeral home from rear parking lot entrance only. Funeral Services Monday, April 7, 2025 at St Pius X Church Loudonville, NY at 1:00 p.m. where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated with Full Departmental Honors. The Rite of Committal will be held in St. Agnes Cemetery Menands, NY immediately following the Mass. For those wishing to make a donation in Warren's memory, please consider making a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or a charity of your choice. To leave a message for the family or view other helpful services please visit www.mcveighfuneralhome.com

Tributes

Chief Warren W. Abriel Jr.

January 19, 1949 - April 3, 2025