Donald W. "Gene" Ogborn

Albany Donald W. “Gene” Ogborn, 95, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at the Daughters of Sarah Nursing Center in Albany, surrounded by his family. Born in Providence, Rhode Island on December 26, 1921, Don was the son of Donald and Virginia (Roby) Ogborn. He graduated from LaSalle School in 1941 and enlisted in the U.S. Army shortly thereafter. Serving as a Technical Sergeant (TSgt) in the 8th U.S. Army Air Force, he flew strategic bombing missions under the 401st Bomb Group (H) from Deenethorpe, England during World War II. On his eighth combat mission, he was awarded the Purple Heart after his B-17 Flying Fortress crew was shot down over Germany on January 11, 1944. After parachuting out, he was captured and sent to Stalag 17-B in Krems, Austria, where he remained a Prisoner of War until liberated on 2 May 1945. He married Lucy A. Occhialino on September 7, 1946. Don worked for 25 years as a grain elevator operator for Cargill, Inc. at the Port of Albany. He had a second career as a compliance officer for the State of New York and later as an OSHA inspector for the U.S. Department of Labor, retiring in 1984. Don was pre-deceased by his brother, Donald James Ogborn in 2002. He is survived by his loving wife, Lucy; his son Eugene and his wife, Betty (McRea) of Lancaster, MA; his three grandsons: LTC Eric Ogborn and his wife, Alina of Lancaster, MA; Gregory Ogborn and his husband, Pedro of Queens, NY; Marc Ogborn and his wife, Nicole of New York, NY; and great-grandsons Graydon Ogborn and Matías Ogborn Cedeño. Don was a long-time member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Ex-Prisoners of War, and Polish American Community Club in Albany, and an avid follower of RPI hockey. He had a close relationship with the many nieces and nephews of his extended family in the greater Albany area. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Don’s family Friday, April 28, 2017 9:00 am to 10:00 am in McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen Street, Albany followed by his Funeral Mass at 10:30 in Blessed Sacrament Church, Albany. The Rite of Committal will be held in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands immediately following the Funeral Mass. Those wishing to remember Donald in a special way can send contributions to the Blessed Sacrament Church, 607 Central Ave., Albany, NY 12206. To leave a message for the family, please visit www.McveighFuneralHome.com

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Donald W. "Gene" Ogborn

December 26, 1921 - April 20, 2017