William Hassenpflug

William Hassenpflug Jr of Schenectady, New York passed away peacefully at Glendale Nursing Home on Sunday, April 26th at the age of 79.

Born on September 14th, 1946 in Bennington, Vermont, the son of William Hassenpflug Sr and Cecelia (Kearns) Hassenpflug, William was confronted with a rare and serious illness called Dermatomyositis. Defying the odds given by doctors at the time, he survived through it and even went on to donate blood to other children suffering from the same illness.

After recovery, he tried everything his condition had kept him from. From golfing and bowling, to fishing, and even skiing, making up for all those years confined to a bed.

He worked as sports reporter for Springfield’s ‘The Republican’ newspaper during his junior and senior years of high school, before attending Lyndon State College.

He met his wife Christine (Pearl) Hassenpflug at the Putnam Hotel Restaurant in Bennington VT. After a brief courtship, they married on May 29th, 1971 in Hartford CT. Christine would later pass away in 1987 after battling cancer.

Following the birth of their three children, William began working at Friendly’s Restaurant in Bennington Vermont. He was then promoted to manager of a new Friendly’s that opened in Schenectady NY.

Tired of working for someone else, he went on to open his own diner, The Treasure House in Glenville, a dream of his and his father William Sr’s for a while. There he cooked and managed the restaurant every single day for many years, serving many satisfied customers.

He eventually retired and moved back to Bennington to take care of his mother and father, only to move back to the Schenectady area after they had passed as well, to live with his daughter Amy, who took care of him just as he had taken care of his parents.

William was a lifelong Boston Sports fan, the Red Sox and Celtics being his particular favorites, but he would watch just about any sport you could find on television. He also loved animals and owned many dogs and cats (especially cats) throughout his life.

He is survived by his children, William Hassenpflug III of Bennington VT, Amy Martin and Nick McDonald of Glenville NY, and Curtis Hassenpflug and wife Tracy of Schenectady NY. He is also predeceased by his sister Cheryl and her husband Peter Bloodworth and is survived by his brothers Mark Hassenpflug and wife Kathy of Fremont NH, Keith Hassenpflug and wife Kim of North Adams Mass, and Bryan Hassenpflug and wife Lori of Brunswick NY; four grandchildren and one great grandchild; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Friends may call at E.P. Mahar and Son Funeral Home in Bennington, Vermont from 11:00am to 12:00pm on Saturday, May 9th. Burial will take place afterwards in Park Lawn Cemetery.