Harold D. “Hal” Stephens

ALBANY – Harold D. “Hal” Stephens, 96, of Albany, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 24, 2018, at the Teresian House.  Born in Springfield, MA, he was the son of the late Harold D. Stephens, Sr. and Mary Gilkerson Stephens.  He was a lifelong resident of Albany, and a graduate of the former Vincentian Institute.  He proudly served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the South Pacific Theatre.  After the war he graduated from Siena College, and he worked as a sales agent for Allstate Insurance, retiring in 1988 after 34 years.

Hal was devoted to his faith and his family.  He also loved music, and was a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, the Electric City Chorus of Schenectady, the Uncle Sam Chorus of Troy, and the Joyous Sound Barbershop Gospel group of Clifton Park.  He was also the leader and the guitar player of the Capital District Harmonica Club. He was a communicant of Christ the King Church in Westmere, a member of their Knights of Columbus organization and the Funeral Choir.  Hal enjoyed summer vacations at the family camp on Lake George at Ticonderoga.

Hal was predeceased by his beloved wife Marjorie VanDecar Stephens.  He is survived by his two daughters, Eileen(Jeff)Bray of Guilderland, Nancy(Bruce)Levis of Westmere; his two sons, Peter C. Stephens of Jacksonville, FL and Paul M. Stephens of Denver, CO; his  grandchildren Brian (Elizabeth) and Kevin Bray, Jessica, Sarah, Mary, Emily, and John Stephens, Sean (Dylan) Stephens, and Michael and Kristen Levis; his great grandchildren Quinn and Emerson Bray; and by several nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his sisters and their husbands Margaret (Robert) Phinney, and Miriam (Thomas) Aery.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. in Christ the King Church, Sumpter Ave., Guilderland.  Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the Knights Chapel in the church Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. until 10:15 a.m.  Entombment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Community Caregivers, 2021 Western Ave Ste 104, Albany, NY 12203; or to Christ the King Church, 20 Sumpter Ave, Albany, NY 12203.  Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hans Funeral Home, Albany.  To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.

Click here to view Hal’s resting place in Holy Cross Corridor, Tier D, Crypt 111 at the Mausoleum of St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands, New York 12204.