Louis Tarry Brienza

Tarry was born on Aug. 25, 1950 in Oneonta, the son of Louis and Betty Brienza. He graduated from Oneonta High School in 1968. He obtained an AS degree in respiratory therapy from Hudson Valley Community College and later obtained a BS degree in hospital administration from Empire State College. He worked for many years at Bassett Hospital first as a respiratory therapist and then later on as an administrator. Prior to his illness, his career took him and Deb to the Albany area where he worked for 7 years as a healthcare administrator.

Tarry married Deborah Ritz on April 7, 1973 to begin their 40 years of marriage. Tarry always enjoyed his family and many happy times were spent with their children camping in Lake George and later with the grandchildren in their lovely park model R.V. near Saratoga Springs.

Tarry always enjoyed various sports and played catcher for the Milford Macs baseball team for several years after high school. He loved his many years of officiating basketball at the high school and college levels and was inducted into the Schohanna Board 46 basketball officials Hall of Fame in 2012, an honor he greatly cherished.

As a testimony to how much Tarry and Deb enjoyed their basketball, for their 25th wedding anniversary, they traveled to Indianapolis to attend the BIG 10 Women’s basketball tournament to cheer on their beloved Purdue Boilermakers.

Tarry will be sorely missed by all who knew him for the gentle soul that he was.

He is survived by his wife, Deb, his children Melanie (Tom) Craig and Kimball Brienza, his grandchildren, Hannah Rose and Dylan Thomas Craig, his sisters, Bonnie (Tom) Bowen, Andrea (Chuck) Sawyer, Toni (Lil) Brienza, and Tammy (Kurt) Dean, his father-in-law Don (Elsie) Ritz, brother-in-law Jack (Marge) Ritz, an aunt, Louise Puylara, and several nieces and nephews.

Tarry was pre-deceased by his parents, his sister Deborah Loeser and a very special Aunt, Rose Pallace.

Family and friends are invited to calling hours on Sunday Feb. 16, 2014 from 1 - 3 p.m at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, 14 Grand St., Oneonta, NY. A Memorial Service will follow at 3 p.m. at the funeral home.

We wish to thank Hospice for their wonderful care and assistance for many months. Memorial gifts may be directed to Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting our website at www.grummonsfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.