Joseph "Joe" Cillis

December 24, 1935 - March 24, 2021

Voorheesville - Joseph "Joe" Cillis, 85 years old, passed away Wednesday, March 24, 2021 surrounded by his loving family. Joe was born in Albany, NY, to the late Theodore and Julia Cillis on December 24, 1935. Joe graduated from the former Cathedral Academy in Albany and SUNY Cortland, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree and Master's Degree in Education. He married his high school sweetheart, Mary Janice (Jenny) O'Connor. Joe taught Physical Education at Shaker Road Elementary School for 9 years. He left teaching to pursue another passion - home building. He established JJ Cillis Builders, a family business, building custom homes for over 50 years in the greater Albany area. A lover of people, Joe enjoyed talking and laughing with anyone he encountered in his daily life. He was a consummate educator and was generous with his life lessons and advice. He enjoyed seeing families make homes from the houses that he built. He loved what he did and could be found on the job site into his eighties. When asked when he would retire, his classic response was, “I would have to find a job first.” He built his family home in Voorheesville, where he and Jenny raised their five children. Joe enjoyed spending Sundays “on the farm”, usually on his tractor cutting brush. He thrived on making people feel welcome in his home and part of the family. There was always room for one more seat at the table or one more dog in the yard. He is predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Jenny, and their son, Joseph. He is survived by his brother, Theodore Cillis; his children James (Carol), Suzanne Keenan (John), Christine Dearth (Samuel), Matthew (Elizabeth); and his daughter-in-law, Sharon Cillis. He was the devoted grandfather of Michelle Budge, Joseph Cillis, James Cillis, Jennifer Cillis, Joseph Keenan, Christian Keenan, Stephany Keenan, Andrew Cillis, Caroline Cillis, and Violet Cillis, as well as his great-grandson, Jude Budge. The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the caregivers at the Atria assisted living facility in Delmar, Daughters of Sarah Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and the Teresian House Center for the wonderful care they provided. There will be a private funeral service for immediate family. To leave a message for the family, please visit www.LGFuneralHome.com In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association NENY; 4 Pine West Plaza #405 Albany NY 12205 (act.alz.org) or the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany; 40 North Main Avenue Albany 12206.