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Friday, March 13, 2026

Renowned Teacher and Historian from Schenectady County, Taormina, Passes Away at 95

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NISKAYUNA — Although Frank Taormina⁤ officially retired from teaching in the late‌ 1960s, his passion for history‌ never waned.

After leaving the classroom, Taormina took on the roles of⁤ high ⁢school principal and assistant superintendent⁤ at Niskayuna before ⁣retiring in ‍1986. Despite his administrative ⁢duties, his ⁢fascination with history ‌remained. He ⁣served as a ⁤past president, ⁣board member,‌ and volunteer at the Schenectady County Historical Society.‍ Taormina passed away early Monday morning at St. Peter’s​ Hospital in Albany at the age of 95.

Kathryn Weller, the current education director at ​the​ New ‍York ⁢State Museum, was the historical society’s ​first ⁣professional museum curator,⁤ hired by the board⁤ in 2001.

“Frank’s passing is a great loss,” ‌said Weller. “He was ‌a remarkable historian and​ a cherished board member. His knowledge was vast and he was always eager to share. He was‌ a kind soul, always ​greeting you with a ⁣smile and a hearty ​laugh.”

During his tenure as president of the historical ⁢society from 1987 to 1989, Taormina continued to serve as a ⁢board member and volunteer well into the 21st century. He delivered presentations on various local history topics and often dressed in period costume during the⁢ Stockade Walkabout, portraying former Schenectady mayor and⁤ New York Gov. Joseph Yates.

John Gearing, author of “Schenectady Genesis II,” spent ‌a significant amount of time at the society’s Grems-Doolittle‌ Library while researching his book. He always looked forward⁣ to seeing‍ Taormina.

“Frank ⁤would walk in with ⁤his⁢ little Ziploc bag ⁢of thumb drives. You could ask him‌ anything about the ⁢Erie Canal or Sir William Johnson⁢ or any other topic and he’d pull out a thumb‍ drive, ⁣plug it into his laptop and start answering your question,”⁣ said Gearing. “He was a treasure trove ⁤of⁤ information‌ and always willing‌ to ‍share.​ He ‍was truly ⁣a wonderful person.”

Taormina was born in the Bronx and‌ raised on his ‍family’s farm in Ulster ⁤County. After graduating from Marlboro High School, he ⁤attended⁣ Union College in ⁢Schenectady, earning⁤ a history degree⁤ in 1950. He then​ moved to Albany to pursue his⁤ master’s at‍ the NYS College‍ for Teachers, now known as the University at ‌Albany.

He served in the U.S. Army for two years in California before‌ returning east in 1954 to ‍begin​ his teaching career at​ Broadalbin ⁤Central Schools, where he taught junior ⁣high history and English classes.

In​ 1955, he transferred⁤ to the Niskayuna district and taught history at Van Antwerp Junior High until 1959‍ when ​he became a history ‍teacher at‌ the high school.

In 1968, after a stint as the⁢ principal at ⁣Van‌ Antwerp, he was ‍appointed as the ​high school principal. He​ held this position‍ for 15 years before becoming the district’s⁢ assistant superintendent for⁣ three years, ‌until his retirement in 1986.

“Frank was ⁣a thoughtful ​and principled man,” said ‌Don‍ Ackerman,⁢ a ‍history teacher at Van Antwerp and the high school⁣ who worked under Taormina.⁢ “He had high standards but was also very approachable. His loss is deeply ‍felt. He ‍was a ⁣truly wonderful individual.”

When Kim Mabee​ took over as president‌ of​ the ‍historical society in​ 2004, she was grateful​ to ‍have Taormina as⁣ a‌ mentor.

“Frank was incredibly supportive, and he really helped me develop my public ‌speaking⁤ and presentation ⁤skills,” said Mabee,⁣ who now serves as regent of Schenectada, the local chapter of the Daughters of​ the American Revolution. “I had great admiration for him. He ‌was⁢ a caring individual who always‍ had the‍ best ⁣interests of the⁤ historical society at heart. He had a profound⁢ impact on all⁣ of⁤ us.”

According to​ Gearing, Taormina played ​a significant​ role in transforming the historical society into a thriving, professionally-run ‌organization.

“The society started as⁢ a small, grassroots group with a modest budget. Under Frank’s ‍leadership, it evolved into​ a member-managed civic group with a professional staff,” ⁣said Gearing. “His ⁢long-term involvement⁤ as⁢ president, trustee, and volunteer allowed him​ to witness this transformation. The society achieved great things‌ during his tenure.”

Taormina,⁣ who had a particular interest in topics such⁢ as GE scientist Charles Steinmetz, Vale Cemetery, and ⁣the Erie Canal, ⁤also remained actively involved with his college alma ⁤mater. He was one of the founders of UCALL⁤ (Union College Adult Lifelong Learning), as well as president ‌of the Union College ⁤Alumni Association. He‍ also served on ⁢the board of the Friends of ‍the Schenectady County Public ‍Library, helped establish Niska-Day, and volunteered at the City Mission ⁤of Schenectady.

Taormina married Mildred Carey in 1952 and the couple‌ raised ‍four daughters and a son at ⁢their home on Balltown Road in Niskayuna. They were married for nearly 50 years ​before her passing in ​2001.

A wake will‌ be held Friday from 4​ to 7 p.m. at Jones ‌Funeral Home at 2020 Central Ave. in Colonie. St.​ John’s ‍The Evangelist ⁢in Schenectady will host ‍a Mass of‍ Christian Burial on Saturday at 11 a.m., with ⁢interment services to⁢ follow at‍ Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Niskayuna.

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Kiara Thomas
Kiara Thomas
I uncover quirky and compelling stories. Always on the lookout for the 'why' behind the 'what'.
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