Philip A. Dandeneau

North Greenbush- Philip A. Dandeneau, 85, a resident of Raymertown since 1964 and Brunswick since 2022 passed away on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 15, 2025, at Van Rensselaer Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. His beloved wife, Nancy and family were by his side.

          Born in Waterford March 14, 1940, Phil was one of five boys born to the late Edward and Celina (Cyr) Dandeneau Sr. and, for over 61 years, the husband and best friend of Nancy C. (Haggerty) of Brunswick.

          As a boy, Phil attended St. Anne’s Catholic School in Cohoes and, after his family moved to Pittstown in 1956, attended Troy High School. He worked at his father’s store, the Pittstown Country Store, until he joined the Navy in 1960. Following basic training, he was stationed at the Naval Station Norfolk and then the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVS-11), where he served during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He also very proudly spoke of the Intrepid being a key part of the recovery operation that picked up astronaut Scott Carpenter, who was the second American to orbit the Earth in 1962. He met the love of his life right next door in Pittstown while on leave during the time he was in the Navy. Phil and Nancy were married June 6, 1964.
          Phil continued working at the store after he was honorably discharged. He and his brother, Edward Jr., eventually took over the store once their dad retired. The store was central to the town of Pittstown and Phil and Ed did what they could to help the community. It was not uncommon for Phil to get a midnight phone call because the fire company needed to gas up the trucks during a local fire. Phil and Ed would always be there to support the fire and ambulance crews in any way they could.

After closing the store in 2005, Phil worked for Sander’s Fire and Safety Company in Mechanicville where he handled some of the maintenance in the office. He also worked at the food court service at Northway Auto Exchange from 2005-2008. Even with the countless hours at the family store, Phil found time to be a Life Member of the Pittstown Volunteer Emergency Corps. (PVEC), where he served on the Board of Directors. He was also a Bingo caller and helped in the kitchen during banquets and fund-raising dinners.

          In his down time Phil enjoyed hunting and being at camp with his “boys”. He loved Saratoga and the “ponies”. One of his recent happiest moments was watching his horse win the Belmont Stakes with his granddaughter, Amber. NYRA and the NYS Lottery will be taking a hit without Phil. He loved his lottery scratch-offs. His most cherished past time was spending time with his kids and grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, Nancy, Phil is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Michele and David White of Warwick, a son and daughter-in-law, David and Cathy (Quinn) Dandeneau of Pittstown, and a son-in-law, Robert (the late Nicole) Bulson of Petersburg. Grandchildren, Rian and Taylor White, Rachel (White) and Nick Calacanis, Kyle and Katie Dandeneau, Robert J. Bulson, and Amber Bulson. Great grandchildren, Henry and Charlie White, Teddy and Jack Calacanis, several nieces and nephews, and his very much-loved Shih-tzu, Libby. In addition to his parents and daughter, Nicole, he was predeceased by his brothers, Maurice, Raymond, Lawrence, and Edward Jr.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Sunday, June 22, 2025, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Howard B. Tate & Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 New York Route 7, located in Raymertown. A memorial service for Phil will be held on Monday, June 23, at the funeral home at 11:30 a.m. Inurnment with United States Naval honors will follow at the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Veterans Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.

          The family would like to thank all of Van Rensselaer Manor staff and specifically everyone from wing 2B. Your compassion and gentleness made his final days brighter. He knew everyone’s voice and responded in ways that we knew you were family to him. Thank you, Rensselaer County Hospice and Samaritan Hospital PCU nursing staff. Your kindness will always be remembered.

          Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers, if desired, can be made to either the Residents Programs Fund, c/o Van Rensselaer Manor, 85 Bloomingrove Drive, Troy, NY 12180, or to Evangelical Lutheran Church of Raymertown, 27 Mason Lane, Troy, NY 12180 in memory of Philip Dandeneau.