New Lebanon – Alfred N. Odierno, 100, died Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at home at Melbourne Place in Pittsfield, MA. Born in Little Italy in New York City on June 10, 1914, he was the son of the late Silvio and Mary Yander Odierno. His family moved to Rockaway, NJ where he graduated from Rockaway High School. He later graduated in 1934 from the Casey Jones School of Aviation.
[private]He began working for American Airlines in 1936 as a mechanic and was employed for over 42 years before retiring in 1978 as the Superintendent of Quality Control at LaGuardia Airport in New York City. He also played the trumpet for the American Airlines Band which gave him the opportunity to perform at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in NYC.
On May 6, 1937, Mr. Odierno was an eyewitness to the Hindenburg disaster at the Naval Air Station in Lakehurst, NJ. During World War II he was involved with the Air Transport Command, training the US military on how to use and repair airplanes used during the war.
Following his retirement, Mr. Odierno moved with his wife to Canaan, NY and was a parishioner and choir member of the Immaculate Conception Church in New Lebanon.
He was the beloved husband of 64 years of the late Olive M. Renne Odierno who died in 2007, devoted father of Mary Jo (Ralph) Vestuti of North Carolina, Alfred N. (Nancy) Odierno, Jr. of Maryland and Catherine M. (Dr. Philip) Catalano of Averill Park, proud grandfather of Lorraine Suger, Ralph and Phillip Vestuti, Virginia and Joseph Odierno, P.J. Catalano, Renne Catalano Gussman, Christopher Catalano and four great-grandchildren, uncle of Nancy Patterson and General Raymond Odierno. He was predeceased by three siblings.
Relatives and friends called at the Hall & Higgins Funeral Home, 457 NY 43, Stephentown on Thursday, April 2 from 1 to 3 pm with a service at 1:30 pm with Rev. John Close officiating. Interment followed in the Cemetery of the Evergreens in New Lebanon.
Contributions may be made to HospiceCare in the Berkshires, 877 South Street, Suite 1W, Pittsfield, MA 01201 or hcib.org.
Condolence book at ParkerBrosMemorial.com. [/private]