Donald “Corny” Rabine, CPO, USN, Ret.

Donald “Corny” Rabine, CPO, USN, Ret.

On the afternoon of June 2, 2015 our beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend passed away at the Glens Falls Hospital after a three year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Donald “Corny” Rabine was 89.

Corny was born on December 4, 1925 in Fort Edward, NY and grew up on “the point” in little Canada.  He was the son of Delmar and Pauline (LaPointe) Rabine and was one of twelve boisterous and loving children.

Corny attended Fort Edward Union High School but dropped out his senior year to join the United States Navy to fight in World War ll. Dad found his “calling” in the navy and continued his navy career retiring as Master Chief Petty Officer and recruiter in Albany, NY.  Corny was incredibly proud to have served his country and once told us he had circled the globe at least 8 times.  As a gifted athlete growing up, he continued his love for sports during his navy tenure as both a boxer for the navy and a quarterback for a semipro football team on Long Island, NY.

Although Corny was away for many months on tour, he managed to catch the eye of Lila Ingraham during a leave and they married on January 16, 1956 in Salisbury, CT.  They shared 57 years together before her passing in 2012.

After retiring from the Navy, Corny began his second career at Scott Paper Company in Fort Edward, NY.  Typical of Corny, he devoted another 20 years of outstanding service and was especially proud of his work as a shop steward.

Corny enjoyed many activities including reading, playing and watching sports, trips to the Racino, travel with his in-laws, and Sunday morning breakfast with Lila, Frank and Jackie Ingraham and Mike and Mary Murdock.  He was an avid (obsessive) NY Giants fan.  We could always tell what kind of mood dad would be in based on how well the Giants played on Sunday.  He also enjoyed the Adirondack Red Wings.  In fact, he and Lila travelled to many away games, even venturing into Canada to root for his beloved Red Wings.

Dad’s greatest joy however, came from spending time with his family.  Vacations to exotic places were his top priority as well as travelling the country to visit family.  The pride he took in his children and grandchildren was evident through his collection of cards, drawings, photos, crafts and concert programs found hidden in an old shoe box in the closet,  The man never threw anything away!

Corny has joined many of his family in heaven including his mother and father; his wife Lila; infant daughters Paula and Debra; sons Matthew and Ronald; brothers Leo, Randolph, Robert, and Paul; sisters Betty Hayward, Marie Haley, and Geraldine Field; and grandson Matthew Mellon.

Left to cherish his memory are his children, grandchildren, and siblings.  His surviving daughters include Donna (Michael) Swan of Queensbury, NY;  Missy Rabine of Glens Falls, NY;  Lisa (Eric) Morris of Ponte Vedra, FL; Leigh (Michael) Toomey of Queensbury, NY.  His surviving sons include James (Grace) Gitto of Lake George, NY;  Robert (James) Rabine of Clinton CT, and Michael Rabine of Gilbert, AZ.

Corny is also survived by many grandchildren including Julie Bonn;  Alexander and Daniel Rabine;  Robert and Abigail Morris, Raegan and Sean Toomey; Daniel Mellon; James Mellon; Julia Scarincio; Laura-Ann Martin; Kathleen Gillis; Meghan Howard; Christopher, Jeffrey and Jason Rabine; and Tia and Nicole Rabine.  He also leaves behind many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Special siblings left to remember dad are his sisters Jeanette and Lorraine, and his brothers Tom and Sylvester.

The family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the staff at The Landings Memory Care Unit.  Corny suffered from dementia but our family knew he was in good hands and well cared for at The Landings.

Friends may call on Corny’s family from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, June 5 at Carleton Funeral Home, 68 Main Street, Hudson Falls, NY.

The Rite of Committal will be held at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, June 6 at The Church of St Mary’s-St Paul’s on Main Street, Hudson Falls, NY with burial at St Mary’s Cemetery in Fort Edward, NY immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations in Corny’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, 4 Pine West Plaza #405, Albany, NY 12205.