Joseph L. Van Ullen

Albany-Joseph L. Van Ullen passed away at Our Lady of Mercy Nursing Home on Sunday February 19, 2017. He was the son of the late Nelson and Lucy Van Ullen, born in Hoboken, NJ in 1923 and raised in Colonie. He is survived by his wife Elaine Thornton Van Ullen and his children Christine (Howard) Lemberg; Susan (Mauro) Lapetina; Nelson (Cynthia) Van Ullen; Stephen (Christine) Van Ullen; Mary Van Ullen and Clayton Welch; and Gretchen (Stewart) Place. He is also survived by his stepchildren Lynne Thornton; Joseph (Esther) Thornton; Kevin Thornton; Brian (Jill) Thornton; Lisa (Gregg) Dorries, 25 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his late wife Evelyn Tully Van Ullen in 1988. Joe was a man of quick wit who possessed great integrity. He instilled in others the desire to always do the right thing. Joseph graduated as Valedictorian at Vincentian Institute in 1940, and earned his B.S and M.Sc. in Metallurgical Engineering at RPI. He served as an officer in the US Navy during WWII on the Destroyer Escort USS Wyffels in North Africa and the Mediterranean Sea. He served in the Naval Reserves until his discharge in 1953 with the rank of lieutenant. In his later years, Joe spent his summers volunteering as a guide on the USS Slater Destroyer Escort Historical Museum. Joe enjoyed a long career at GE and the Knolls Atomic Power Labs. During his career he helped develop and build nuclear powered naval ships, including the nuclear submarine Seawolf. Later, he managed the GE Materials and Processes Lab in Schenectady, NY, developing turbines for today’s modern power plants, until his retirement in 1986. He served as President of the Eastern NYS Society of Metals and was awarded two patents for his innovations. Joe was a charter member of St. Pius X Parish. He served as President of the Holy Name Society and was a frequent lector. He was also an avid golfer and a lifetime member of Wolferts Roost Country Club, where he served on the Board of Directors. Joe was also a talented handyman. He built his own home and enjoyed helping family members with their projects. He was a frequent volunteer with Habitat for Humanity at his winter residence in Naples, FL, where he also served on the condo association board. The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Our Lady of Mercy for the loving care they provided over Joe’s final years. We are truly grateful. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or donors@stjude.org. Calling hours are Friday, February 24 from 4_pm to 7 pm at St Pius X Church, Crumitie Rd., Loudonville, NY. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 am Saturday, February 25 at St. Pius X Church, followed by burial at Memory Gardens. Please visit www.McveighFuneralHome.com

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Joseph L. Van Ullen

January 8, 1923 - February 19, 2017