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Professor John Rea Ostwald<\/strong><\/p>\n John’s obituary<\/a> will be published in The Record, Saratogian, and Times Union newspapers on Wednesday, Oct. 23.<\/em><\/p>\n John R. Ostwald, 69, died on October 19, 2019 at Samaritan Hospital. He waged a horrendous year-long battle against Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer with characteristic humor, determination, and grit. Born February 21, 1950 to Josephine Rea Smith and the late Carl Ostwald, he is the cherished husband of Kyra L. Te Paske.<\/p>\n John attended St. Anthony\u2019s School, LaSalle Institute, Hudson Valley Community College, and received his Masters from Hofstra University. John was a Professor of Psychology at Hudson Valley, retiring in 2015. He was a columnist for The Record and The Saratogian newspapers. His final column will be published Sunday, Oct. 27.<\/p>\n John had authored “War, Sacrifice and Coming Home” for Soldier\u2019s Heart, a nonprofit organization assisting veterans. John was a Navy veteran of the Vietnam Era and was an advocate for veterans. He was a true humanitarian. John enjoyed playing piano at local events and especially nursing homes, with his mom along to dance. John loved to play poker and had participated in tournaments in the area as well as Las Vegas.<\/p>\n Survivors in addition to his wife and mother include his sister Carla (Mark) Schlesinger, niece Crystal (Ken) Swinton, sisters-in-law Sue Ellyn (Timothy) Smith and LeeAnn Gillum (William Birt), father-in-law Bruce (Susanna) Te Paske, aunt Catherine Esposito, cousins Josephine Esposito and Pat (Vincenza) Zucaro, and sons Nicholas and Jackson. Life-long friends, Angelo Miele, John Capano, and Dominic Russomanno, along with numerous cousins and friends, also survive him. He was predeceased by cousins Michael Debboli and Patrick Esposito.<\/p>\n In keeping with John\u2019s wishes, there will be a Memorial Mass on Friday, Oct. 25 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 28 State St., Troy, NY and a celebration of his life immediately following at the Italian Community Center, 1450 5th Ave., Troy, NY. Interment will be private at St. Mary\u2019s Cemetery in Troy, along-side his father. In lieu of flowers, please donate in John Ostwald\u2019s name to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network via website (https:\/\/www.pancan.org\/<\/a>), phone (1-800-272-6226), or mail: 500 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 200, Manhattan, CA 90266. Click here<\/a> to download\/print a donation form to use in the mail.<\/p>\n Arrangements are entrusted to the Bocketti Funeral Home, 336 3rd Street, Troy, NY.<\/p>\n