Obituary of Joseph P. Cain

North Greenbush- Joseph P. Cain, passed away peacefully on September 20, 2023, at St. Peter’s Hospital, after a long illness.  He was 75 years old.

Born on May 5, 1948, in Albany, NY, to Joseph and Mary (Brennan) Cain. He graduated from Cardinal McCloskey High School.  Upon graduation, Joe entered the Seminary (Order of the Sacred Heart) and went on to attend St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Foreign Languages.  He received a master’s degree in business administration from Russell Sage College.

Joe returned to Albany and joined the Albany Police Department in 1971.  While on the Police Department, Joe received many awards and accolades.  He served on the Emergency Services Team and received the Policeman of the Year Award.  In addition, Joe taught new police recruits at the Zone 5 Police Academy.  Joe was also one of the original founders of the Albany Police Pipe and Drum Band.  Joe retired as a Lieutenant from the Albany Police Department.  Upon retirement from the Police Department, Joe worked for the New York State Inspector General’s Office for 7 years as a Special Investigator. 

Joe served in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve for 21 years where he retired as a Commander.  During this time, he served in the U.S. Intelligence Division Atlantic Area.  Joe was a delegate to the Olympic Intelligence Center during the 1996 Olympic Games and he also was liaison during Operation Desert Storm.  He was selected for two sensitive classified intelligence assignments in the Dominican Republic in support of Operation Able Manor due to his professionalism and bilingual ability.   In 1990, Joe was awarded the Silver Life Saving Medal from the U.S. Coast Guard.

Joe is survived by his wife Toni of 48 years, his two daughters, Kimberly Gatto and Kyleen House (Corey), as well as his precious granddaughter, Camryn.  Joe was the oldest of nine children.  He is predeceased by his parents, his brother James Cain and his sister Rose Cain.  He is survived by his sister Lynn Rhatigan (Gary), Tina Streeter and Elizabeth Cain, as well as his brothers Jack Cain, Richard Cain and Edward Cain (Kat).

In his free time, Joe was a volunteer member of the Defreestville Fire Department and a proud member of the Moonshine Hunting Club.  Joe loved spending time with his family, especially on their annual beach vacation to Wildwood, New Jersey.  Joe loved the New York Yankees and his “occasional” Manhattan.

The Family would like to thank the nurses and doctors at St. Peter’s Cardiac ICU who helped Joe through his difficult time.  A special thank you to DCI Dialysis Center for their love and support and to Joe’s many friends and relatives for their care and concern.

Relatives and friends may call on Monday, September 25, 2023 from 4 - 7 PM to the W.J. Lyons Jr. Funeral Home, 1700 Washington Avenue, Rensselaer.  Funeral  services will be held at the funeral home on  Tuesday, September 26 at 9 AM.  Interment will follow at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the North Greenbush Ambulance Association, 400 Main Avenue, Wynantskill, NY 12198 or the Defreestville Fire Department, 350 North Greenbush Road, Troy, NY 12180.