Thomas J Pottenburgh

December 20, 1932 - September 9, 2016

Thomas J. Pottenburgh, 83, of Glenco Mills died Friday September 9th at his residence in the arms of his loving family. Born December 20, 1932 in Rhinebeck, NY. He is the son of John and Estella (Mulvaney) Pottenburgh. Tom graduated from Rhinebeck High School Class of 1950, where he was an outstanding athlete. His athletic talents earned him a full basketball scholarship to Siena College. While attending Siena College, he was the basketball team’s starting center for three years. Tom also starred in a NBA exhibition game which Tom had 18 of the teams 54 points, and also the defeat of the No. 1 ranked Seton Hall which led to a No. 11 national ranking for Siena. In 1955 Tom was drafted by the Syracuse Nationals, but in Tom’s words “after a disappointing final year at Siena, he did not call them, nor did they call him.” Tom also played baseball at Siena for one year. He pitched a complete game but he lost due to an easy pop fly collision with Fr. Peter Young, and pitched relief twice facing a total of 6 batters, allowing all 6 on base either by a walk or being hit by pitch. Upon graduation from Siena College “right behind the Valedictorian” (seated on stage at graduation) , Tom graduated from Fordham Graduate School of Social Work in 1957. He was appointed as the first Director of the Albany County Detention Center, then went to work in the Psychiatric Clinic at the LaSalle School for boys in Albany. In 1962, Tom was hired by the NYS Division for Youth, a new agency designed for experimental programs to help troubled youth. His commitment to the enhancement of youth programs led him to be Assistant Superintendent of a Forestry Camp, Director of several group homes throughout the Capital District, and eventually Director of Brookwood Secure Youth Center in Claverack, NY from which he retired in 1991. While serving as Director of Brookwood, Tom was instrumental in advancements and successful procedures pertaining to restraint and confinement, reducing escapes and assaults, social work training and education, and peer cooperation. His work identified Brookwood Facility as one of the best in the Youth Agency. Upon retirement, Tom finally got to enjoy his love of golf, gardening and landscaping his home. Tom was also a Life member of The Federation of Polish Sportsmen. Tom was predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Jean Carol Conery. In 2009, Tom married Carol’s cousin, Mary Ellen White. In addition to his wife Mary Ellen, Tom is survived by his 6 children: Deborah Green, Buffalo; Catherine, Cario; Thomas (Kim), Clifton Park; Joseph, Glenco Mills; Gregory(Deborah),Ghent; and Kelly Reinckens (David), Glenco Mills. Tom also had 20 grandchildren who brought much joy to his later years. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday September 14, 10:00am at St. Mary’s Church in Hudson. Interment will be in Albany Rural Cemetery. Visitation hours at the Bates & Anderson Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home in Hudson will be Tuesday from 4-8pm. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Tom’s name may be made to “Saints Alive” c/o Siena College Loudonville, NY. “All the flowers of all tomorrows are in the seeds of today”