This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Ball Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/2RB.2ACE/8343 Message Board Post: Robert Stewart Ball CLIFTON PARK Robert Stewart Ball, 61 of Chevy Chase Lane died suddenly on Thursday, December 1, 2005 at the George Washington Hospital in Washington D.C. while at a conference for New York State. He was born on February 7, 1944 in Potsdam, N.Y. and was the son of the late Alvin G. and Mildred E. Paton Ball. Robert was a graduate of Elmira Free Academy High School and Cornell University. While at Cornell University, he was president of Kappa Sigma Epsilon Fraternity. At the time of his death he was the director of New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS). Bob embodied the best in public service, serving in the Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) and the U.S. Army reserves. Prior to his career in New York State government, Bob held human service planning position for local governments in New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts. In May of 1978, Bob began his career with the New York State as a chief health planner with the Department of Healt! h. He then transferred to DAAA (now OASAS) and has since served in a series of position, each with increased responsibility, including his most recent one as Director of OASAS' Bureau of Planning and Applications Development. His knack for strategic planning was extraordinary, and as a fitting tribute to all he accomplished throughout his distinguished career, The State Wide Comprehensive Plan for Chemical Dependence and Gambling Services for 2006-2010 will be dedicated to his memory. Bob pursued every challenge with contagious enthusiasm. He was recognized nationally as an expert in the addictions field, and his last contribution was as a representative from New York to a national forum for policy development in Washington, D.C. In 1990 he received the Outstanding Management/Confidential Award. He was a founding charter member of the Knights of Columbus and a communicant of Corpus Christi Church. Over the years he has enjoyed building computers, downhill skiing, playing pi! ano and guitar and most of all spending time with his family and frien ds. Upon his passing he became an organ donor. He is the beloved husband of Joyce G. Grancey Ball, whom he married on April 5, 1975. He is the devoted father of Robert S. Ball Jr., David V. (Christie Squires) Ball and Andrew J. Ball, all of Clifton Park; son-in-law of Mrs. Olga Grancey of Arlington Heights, Ill. and the late Vincent Grancey; brother-in-law of Donna and Patrick Fanning also of Arlington Heights; uncle of Sean Fanning, Scott Fanning, Brett Fanning and Ashley Fanning; dear friend of Allen and Lynne Bryan of Plymouth, Mass. He leaves behind several relatives and numerous friends and colleagues. Funeral will be held Friday morning at 9:00 a.m. from Corpus Christi Church, Ushers where the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Calling hours will be 3-9 p.m. Thursday in the Gordon C. Emerick Funeral Home, 1550 Rt. 9 in Clifton Park. Memorial contributions may be made to Robert S. Ball Memorial Fund through any SEFCU Bank. Published in the Albany Times Union on 12/7/2005. http://www.legacy.com/timesunion-albany/LegacySubPage2.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=15892834