FENIMORE – Albert “Al” H. Varney, Sr, 72, of Ferry Boulevard, went to meet his wife, Lana, on Saturday, March 6, 2020 at his home.
Born on July 22, 1947 in Glens Falls, he was the son of the late William Henry and Josephine Frances (Simione) Varney.
Al graduated from South Glens Falls High School. While in high school, he won many tournaments in wrestling. Al went to states and was offered a scholarship at Paul Smith College. Following high school, he attended barber school and later enlisted in the US Navy, where he was the only barber on the ship. Later in his life, Al opened a barber shop in Hudson Falls.
Soon after his discharge, Al met the love of his life, Lana Waldron. They were married on June 22, 1975 at St. Michaels The Archangel Church in South Glens Falls. They were married 41 wonderful years before her passing in 2016.
Along with his wife, Al opened a pizza shop which also had ping pong tables and pinball machines, which was a fun time in their lives. During this time, Al and Lana started their family, which multiplied quickly. Their first set of twins were two girls, Crystal Marie and Jamie Lee, next their son, Albert, Jr, and finally blessed with another set of twins, Ashley and Amber.
Al took great pride in providing and supporting his family, so he began his 30 year career at SCA. He loved his job and was very proud to have served as treasure of the union. He was a master of many trades and was very proud to have built his own house.
In his younger years, Al loved listening to and dancing with his wife to the sound of the Beach Boys. He also enjoyed watching Mash, Stargate, Perry Mason and his favorite, Star Trek on TV.
Al was a wonderful, kind, considerate husband and loving father. He was a patient man who knew how to handle his four daughters. His greatest pleasure in life was becoming a grandfather to Rain. Al also loved working on car engines and was generous in sharing his knowledge with his neighbors. He was helpful in so many ways to those in need. Al was loved by his family and friends and will be missed.
Those who are left to grieve include his five children, Crystal Marie Varney and her longtime companion, James Selleck of North Creek, Jamie Lee Varney of Gansevoort, Albert H. Varney, Jr., Ashley A. Varney and Amber Lynn Varney, all of Fenimore; his cherished granddaughter, Rain Lana-Josafine Selleck, his brother, William (Lois) Varney of North Carolina; his niece, Kimberly (Rick) Thomas of Ohio; his nephew, Joseph Varney of Arizona; and several cousins.
Friends may call on Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m., on Friday, at St. Michael The Archangel Church in South Glens Falls, with the Rev. Tony Childs, pastor, officiating.
The Rite of Committal will be in the spring at St. Mary’s Cemetery in South Glens Falls.
The family suggests that memorial donations be made to The American Heart Association, 4 Atrium Drive, #100, Albany, 12205 or the American Diabetes Association, 5 Pine West Plaza #505, Albany, NY 12205.
Varney family, You are all in my thoughts and prayers, at this difficult time. I do believe Al’s in a better place now. I wrestled with Al in High school. I have fond memories, every year his mom would have the whole wrestling team over for dinner, she was a kind lady. My dad and brother Gary send there condolences as well.
Ashley, Amber, Al Jr and all of the Varney family, we are so sad to hear of the passing of your wonderful father. We always enjoyed seeing your dad come into the office and say hello to all of us. He was such a soft spoken and very kind person and showed tremendous loyalty to us here at the agency being with our office since I started over 20 years ago. We will truly miss seeing him in the office and know he will be happy seeing his love again. You could tell he missed her very much. Keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers. Our Deepest Condolences, Rita Hawkins State Farm Insurance Agency.