Testo, Charles J.

TESTO, CHARLES J.


TROY – Charles J. Testo, 85 died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Thursday August 19, 2010. Born and educated in Troy he was the son of the late James V. and Celeste (Rubino) Testo. Chuck received his B.A in Sociology from Siena College and his Master’s Degree in Education with certification in Guidance from the State University at Albany. He was a US Army Veteran serving in the European Theatre of Operations. During the initial stage of his career he was a teacher and guidance counselor at the NYS Vocational Institute at Coxsackie Correctional Facility. For the next thirty years Chuck served in a number of professional positions with the NYS Division of Probation. He served as an Executive Consultant and Administrator for local County Probation Departments in the state. He was a strong advocate for criminal justice training and education and an advisor to college facilities in criminology, probation and penology. He provided consultation and taught criminal justice courses in several community colleges in the state. Chuck also contributed his time and expertise to the State Criminal Justice Bicentennial Coordinating Council. He was selected to teach at the Frederick A. Moran Institute on Delinquency and Crime at St. Lawrence University during the later part of his career.

He also served as the Acting Interstate Compact Administrator for Probation and was recognized for the modernizing of the rules and regulations governing the Compact. Chuck was an avid trumpet player who played with a number popular musical groups in the capital district. He was a past president of the Albany Area Senior Orchestra, and a member of the Colonie Town Band for over 3 decades. Chuck also organized and directed the Italian Fiesta Band that performed annually at the Italian Community Center in Troy, where he was a life time member. Other lifetime achievements include recognition as a football player and coach at the high school and semi professional level. Two of the semi professional teams the Troy Bulldogs and the Uncle Sam Trojans were very successful and both won championships for the city of Troy in the Empire State League.

Husband of 55 years of Carolyn (Capano) Testo; father Celeste (Rob) Bova of Waterford, James (Rita) Testo of Wynantskill, Marisa (Jim) Weeks of Delmar and Charles (Gwen) Testo of Troy; brother of Rosemary Muscatello and Constance Tanski both of Troy; Grandfather of Benny, Brandon and Natalie Bova, Dominic and Elise Testo, Tony, Joe and Mia Weeks and Sophia and Charlie Testo. He is also survivrd by several nieces, nephews and many dear friends.

Chuck’s family would like to thank Dr. Ronald Musto and hospice nurses Pam, Ida, Sandy and Wendy for all of their care and compassion during his illness.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday at 10:30 am in Sacred Heart Church, 310 Spring Street, Troy. Relatives and friends are invited and may also call at the Daniel Keenan Funeral Home, 490 Delaware Ave., Albany, on Monday from 3-7 pm. Interment will be in St Mary’s Cemetery, Troy.

Those who wish may send contributions to Community Hospice of Rensselaer County 295 Valley View Blvd. Rensselaer, NY 12144.