Dion Petteys

TROY – Dion Petteys, 66, of 15 Clark Avenue, died suddenly Monday, September 13, 2010, at Albany Medical Center Hospital on New Scotland Avenue.  Born in Babylon, he was the son of Agnes Cox Cassidy and stepson of Ken Cassidy and husband for 40 years of Barbara Vidmar Petteys.  He lived in Babylon for 10 years and later resided in St. Coleman’s Home for Boys and most of his early years at Vanderheyden Hall in Troy.  He was a 1963 graduate of Troy High School and a 1965 graduate of Hudson Valley Community College.  In 1963, Dion became an employee of Vanderheyden Hall, over the years holding the positions of counselor, program director, recreation director and retiring after 34 years as the staff development coordinator.  He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially his two-year-old granddaughter Ava; gardening, photography, travel, fishing, kayaking, hiking, biking and walking his dogs.  In his early years, he was a member of the Salvation Army Troy Corps Band. He was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War, serving in Vietnam.  He was an avid reader and music lover and enjoyed learning new technology.  Survivors in addition to his wife include his daughter Danielle (Pat Miranda) Petteys of Atlanta, GA; a granddaughter, Ava Dionne Miranda of Atlanta; and a brother, Warren Petteys of Saratoga Springs. He was predeceased by two brothers, Cornel and Clifton Petteys.  Funeral services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Bryce Funeral Home Inc., 276 Pawling Ave., Troy. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. Interment will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Troy.  In lieu of flowers, Dion requested that contributions be made in memory of Dion Petteys to the Vanderheyden Hall Memorial Fund, PO Box 219 Wynantskill, NY 12198.  For a private family guest book and service directions, visit www.brycefh.com. 

             Barb, Ava, and Dion               Dion and Zoe, 2010         Ava, Grampa, & Danielle

                                                  
                        Proud Grampa                                                Grampa and Ava

                                                 Corky (KIA Vietnam) and Dion
                                                         Brothers Forever
                                                         Together Forever             

Dion's prized home grown flowers and veggies