Obituary of Roland J. Guilz Sr.

ROLAND J. GUILZ SR. Schenectady-Roland J. Guilz, Sr., a man wholly devoted to his family, died at Albany Medical Center on Monday, June 21, 2021, after a brief illness. Born in Jamaica, Queens, he grew up in Valley Stream Long Island. He was a graduate of Valley Stream Central High School, where he met his beloved wife of 62 years, Jane Guilz. They moved to Rotterdam in 1970 where they bought their first home and continued to raise their three children, Roland, Mary Jane, and Susan. Roland was employed by American Airlines for 35 years, working at JFK and Albany Airports, until he retired in 1996. He then worked for twelve years as a bus driver for Schalmont Central Schools, where he took great pride in transporting students with special needs. Roland was a lifelong baseball fan. He was a standout player in high school and an avid fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers and the NY Mets. He also enjoyed playing guitar and listening to music. He was a skilled craftsman who loved sharing his talents when working on home projects. Nothing brought Roland greater joy than spending time with his family. He is survived by his loving wife, Jane Guilz, whom he married on February 7, 1959, and his three loving children, Roland (Janine), Mary Jane (William) and Susan (Don). He is also survived by his brother Gerard Guilz (Patty) and sister Catherine Guilz Fisher (Michael). He was the proud grandfather to eight grandchildren, Lindsay (Tom), Andrew (April), Stephanie, Shereen, Rianna, Matthew, Daniel (Rachel) and John, and he was the cherished great-grandfather to Lucas, Adelynn, and Avery. He was predeceased by his younger brother Richard Guilz and his beautiful granddaughter, Shereen, with whom he had a special bond. He and Jane lovingly cared for Shereen during her long illness. Funeral services will be Friday June 25, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at the Dufresne & Cavanaugh Funeral Home, 149 Old Loudon Rd., Latham with Rev. Jim Walsh of St Pius X officiating. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the funeral home on Thursday, June 24, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105. For directions, information or to light a memory candle for the family please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com.