John J. Stiglmeier, Sr.

Slingerlands-Dr. John Stiglmeier of Slingerlands, a lifelong resident of the Albany area, passed away on October 26, 2012. He was born on Jan. 4, 1931, the son of the late Albert F. Stiglmeier, Sr. and Clarice McAllister. He faced death as he faced life -- with dignity, humor and undaunted courage. Dr. Stiglmeier graduated from St. Teresa of Avila School and The Vincentian Institute in Albany; he then enrolled at Siena College. After two and one-half years he left college in 1951 and enlisted in the US Air Force where he served for four years as an aircraft mechanic/flight engineer, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. Following his discharge he returned to Siena where he received a BS degree in Biology, followed by an MS in Reading Education at SUNY Albany (NY State College for Teachers). In 1964 he was awarded a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Fordham University. After serving several years as a Reading Consultant in the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk school district he joined the New York State Education Department, first as an Associate in Education Research, then Chief, Bureau of Statistical Services and finally as Director of the Information Center on Education which, at that time, was the central statistical coordinating unit for the Department. He retired from that position in 1992. He also worked closely with a number of Federal statistical agencies and served as New York State’s representative to the Council of Chief State School Officers’ Education Information Advisory Committee for 27 years. In that regard, he was called on to present testimony before the U.S. Congress on several occasions. He also consulted (pro bono) with one quarter of the Nation’s states and territories. In 1985, at the request of the National Academy of Sciences, he delivered a month-long series of lectures on Education Statistics at the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, PRC. He also served on several National Academy advisory panels. He is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Donna, his son John, Jr. (Carol Anne), his daughters Eileen, Carol Bixby (Bob), Lois Witkop (Jim) and Claire, as well as his grandchildren Fairleigh and Jack Stiglmeier and Benen and Regan Witkop. He is also survived by his sister, Eileen Cameron of Albany, and a number of nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces. He was predeceased by his brother Albert Stiglmeier, Jr. and sister M. Jane Tyrrell. John greatly enjoyed music, photography, traveling, crossword puzzles and the Yankees. But above all else he loved his family. He relished the times they could be together to celebrate a holiday, birthday, anniversary, or just to hang out. He really, really loved that. The family would like to thank the loving and caring staff of St. Peter’s Cancer Care Center, especially Dr. Duncan Savage and Dr. Carl Atkins, for the compassion and support they provided during John’s illness. Funeral services Monday, October 29, 2012 at 12:00 pm from the McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen St Albany thence to the Parish of Mater Christi, Albany at 12:30 pm where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Relatives and friends are invited and may call Sunday, October 28, 2012 4:00 to 7:00 pm in the funeral home. Interment St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a donation in John’s memory to St. John’s-St. Ann’s Outreach Center, 88 Fourth Avenue, Albany, NY 12202. To leave the family a special message on their guest book, obtain a prayer card or directions, please visit www.mcveighfuneralhome.com

Tributes

John J. Stiglmeier, Sr.

January 4, 1931 - October 26, 2012