William J. Daly III

COBLESKILL - William J. Daly III, of Cobleskill, died on September 29, 2010, at the loving home of Roberta and Charles Daly of Castleton, surrounded by his loving family, after a courageous battle with cancer.  Born July 24, 1944, in Albany, he was the son of the late William J. Daly and Dorothy Markham Daly and the husband and best friend of Patricia Dinneen Daly.  He graduated from Troy High School, received a BA from Fordham University and a MA from RPI, and took chef training at Schenectady Community College.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving in Vietnam from 1968 to 1970.  He was an associate professor at SUNY Cobleskill for 30 years.  Bill was dedicated to his students and their programs, including his beloved Asian exchange students and was admired and respected in return.  Bill was a scholar whose interests included the arts, music reading, poetry and history. He will be fondly remembered for his natural gift of conversation.  Bill had many deep and abiding friendships with colleagues and the Cobleskill Community.  For many years he was very active in the Old Stone Fort Days in Schoharie County. Bill enjoyed the quiet outdoors, especially canoeing, hiking and cross country skiing.
Bill traveled the world, including China, Hawaii, France, Japan and the Maine coast.  Bill is survived by his wife Patricia; his siblings Charles (Roberta), Jeffery (Gary), Beth Daly-Johns (Rob); and by loving cousins, nieces, nephews and grandnieces and nephews.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s name c/o SUNY Cobleskill College Foundation to support purchase of textbooks for low-income students and for special programs that bridge food and culture.  The family extends very special appreciation to Rensselaer County Hospice, RN Donna and many wise Hospice professionals.  A memorial service for Bill will be held on Thursday, October 14, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at SUNY Cobleskill in the Executive Dining Room of Prentice Hall (second floor) with military honors.