Obituary of Richard A. Altieri

Richard A. Altieri Sr., 92, passed away on April 21, 2017 at his Amsterdam home after a long illness with family by his side. Born in Amsterdam on April 4, 1925 he was the last living child of Anthony and Anna Altieri. He is also predeceased by Edith Caprara Altieri, his wife of 41 years and mother of their seven children. Richard is also predeceased by his second wife Matilda (Tilly) Macuirles Altieri, who he married after Edith's passing - a marriage that lasted for 24 years until Matilda's passing in 2016. He was also predeceased by a grandson, Christopher Altieri. Richard was best known as a family man and entrepreneur. He started Altieri's Auto Body in 1955 and acquired the Sleepy Dutchman Restaurant-Motel in the mid 1970's where together with his large family, worked in the business until he sold it in the early 1980s and retired to Sun Center City, FL where he and Edith, and later on, Matilda, spent 20 winters, escaping the North East cold and snow. He was a WWII veteran, serving as member of a tank battalion in Europe until the war's end in 1945. He worked as a weaver for Mohawk Carpets, a Painter for General Electric and auto body repair technician at Caprara's Auto Body of Schenectady - upon his return from the war. Richard started Altieri's Auto Body & Fender Works in 1955 on Amsterdam's South Side. He and brother-in-law "Cappy" Caprara joined forces in 1965 to start Altieri & Caprara Auto Body. Richard and Cappy dissolved the partnership in 1969, at which time, Richard began doing business as Altieri's Auto Body again. All of Richard's children worked at one of the family businesses at some time or another. Anthony Altieri purchased the business in 1985 and continues to carry on Richard's business legacy. Richard discovered a hidden talent for Painting and Carving upon retirement - a talent that became a passion for more than 20 years. His paintings and carvings can be found in the homes of his children and his favorite restaurant Parillo's Armory Grille, owned by daughter Jackie Altieri Parillo and husband Ralph Parillo. Survivors include his seven children, Richard Altieri and his wife Gail, Anita Altieri and her husband Ken, Karen Altieri, Jacqueline (Jackie) Altieri Parillo and her husband Ralph, Ann Marie Altieri Conlin and her husband Daryle, Anthony Altieri and Joseph Altieri; 13 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; one great-great-great grandson who carries on his name, Richard Altieri V; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at 11:15a.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Roman Catholic Church, 39 St. John Street, Amsterdam with the Rev. Pascal Iannotti as celebrant. Burial with military honors will follow in Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited at may call Monday, April 24, 2017 from 5 until 8p.m. at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam where his arrangements have been entrusted. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in memory of Richard's Grandson, Christopher Altieri www.stjude.org/Donate 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Community Hospice of Amsterdam, 246 Manny Corner's Road, Amsterdam, NY 12010.