George C. Reese

East Greenbush- Lt. Col. George C. Reese (Ret) 86, of East Greenbush died on Saturday, December 5, 2020 at the Eddy Memorial Geriatric Center in Troy. He was born in Newport, Rhode Island on August 11, 1934 to George A. Reese, USN and Frances (Cole) Reese. His dream of an Army career began in high school when he was in the ROTC program. He graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in civil engineering and a 2nd Lt. Army Commission. Before going into the Army, he worked for the N.E. Corp of Engineers. In January of 1957, he started his 20-year Army career. His overseas tours included Germany Thailand, Philippines, Okinawa, Japan, three tours in Vietnam and many stateside assignments. He was Airborne and Ranger qualified and was assigned to the 5th Special Forces group in Vietnam and the 1st Special Forces in Okinawa. His citations and ribbons included a Bronze Star Medal (10LC), Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with palm and Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device. George retired from the Army in February of 1977. His second career was with La Salle Institute in Troy as Senior Army ROTC Instructor for 22 ½ years, retiring in 1999. George was a loving and devoted husband and father who enjoyed spending time with his growing family, telling jokes and puns, and was always up for a good prank. He was always in his teaching mode, ready to correct a grammatical error or explain a complicated math brain teaser. Besides his wife Dorothy of 64 years he is survived by four sons, George (Lisa) of Latham, David of East Greenbush, Jim (Gerri) of Clifton Park and Bob (Ola) of Mechanicville, seven grandsons, three granddaughters, five great grandsons and one great granddaughter. He is also survived by his brother Frank Radice of Redmond, WA, and his cousins Carol Carey of N. Waterboro, ME and James Cole of St. Cloud, FL. The family would like to thank Denise and her nursing staff at the Eddy Courtyard for their wonderful care and compassion. Services will be private; burial will be in Memory Gardens, Colonie, NY. Donations may be made in memory of George to the Disabled American Veterans, www.dav.org or 1-855-619-HERO.