Hoosick – The bell tolled for MR1 Frederick C. Brenenstuhl, Jr. on Wednesday, November 5, 2008, at the Albany Medical Center in Albany, NY. He was the son of the late Frederick C. and Gertrude (Rudd) Brenenstuhl of North Petersburgh, NY.
Fred, a Navy Veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam joined the Navy at 17 and served 21 and a half years, retiring February 2, 1965. He served aboard five ships and on several shore duty assignments.
Fred was a 62 year member of the Hoosick American Legion Post #40 in Hoosick, NY, serving as Commander, Assistant Treasurer and Membership Chairman. He was Rensselaer County Commander in 1982 and 1983 and Third District Commander in 2005 and 2006. He was a member of the Van Rensselaer Star Masonic Lodge #400, Society of St. Stanislaw, Inc. in Hoosick Falls, NY, Lansingburgh Veterans, Marconi Social Club in Cohoes, NY, Fleet Reserve, Branch 214 in Scotia, NY, and a U.S. Navy Memorial plank owner.
He really enjoyed fishing with his brother and friends at Lake Placid, NY, watching the N.Y. Yankees, playing cards, reading western paperbacks and drinking a good Scotch and water.
Fred is survived by his wife of 56 years, Evangeline (Weller) Brenenstuhl, two daughters, Susan Brenenstuhl Brown of Lansingburgh, NY, and YN1 Sandra Smallwood/Libby, U.S.N. Retired, of Forest Hill, MD, three grandchildren, Theresa Smallwood Jenkins of Abigdon, MD, Jerry E. Smallwood, Jr. of Fairfax, VA, and Bridget K. Brown of Cohoes, NY, five great-grandchildren, Casey, Brady and Rory Jenkins of Maryland, Hayley A. Smallwood of Alexandria, VA, and J.T. Simpson of Springfield, VA, his brother and sister-in-law, Walter and Mary Brenenstuhl of North Petersburgh, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Fred elected to donate his body to the anatomical gift program at Albany Medical College in hopes of helping someone else.
A celebration of his life and a Memorial Service will be held at the Veterans of Lansingburgh, 777 First Avenue on Saturday, November 22, from noon to 4 pm, with the service beginning at 1 pm.
Donations to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 3049, Syracuse, NY, 13220, The American Lung Association, 116 John St., 30th floor, New York, NY, 10038, or the Disabled American Veterans, in memory of Fred, would be greatly appreciated.