Obituary of James D. Brassard

AVERILL PARK- James D. Brassard, age 73 of Averill Park, NY, formerly of Cohoes, NY and son of the late Donald G. Brassard and Paulette Gorka Brassard passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at St. Peter’s Hospice Inn, Albany, NY after a diagnosis of cancer in October. Jim is survived by his loving partner with whom he shared a home for over 20 years, Bryan D. Baszczuk, his daughter Angelique Salsbury and her partner Tom Tyree of Virginia Beach, VA, his son and daughter-in-law Jimmy and Ashley Brassard of Deerfield Beach, FL, his sister Barbara Varney of Peachtree City, GA, his former wife Carol Brassard Barrows of The Villages, FL, and many more loved ones from both sides of the family. Jim loved being a father to Angel and Jimmy as they were growing up and was incredibly proud of the people who they’ve grown to be in their adult years. Though visits weren’t as often as he would have liked, he always loved being around them either at his home or theirs. In recent years he especially cherished visits he and Bryan spent with Angel & Tom during a Thanksgiving holiday in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, and with Jimmy & Ashley at their home in Florida. After her father passed when she was 10, as Godfathers, Bryan and Jim developed a special bond with their niece Elia Baszczuk of Clay, NY and her mother Wendy, sharing many great times over the years at school cheerleading, SU Orange events and graduation, Broadway shows, her wedding, and more. Born in Troy, NY in 1947, Jim lived in Cohoes, NY and after graduating from Cohoes High School enlisted in the United States Navy in 1966 where he served primarily as a Radio Operator on a Minesweeper ship during the Vietnam War until his honorable discharge in 1971.  Upon returning to Cohoes Jim began working for NY Telephone and its many variations, initially as a Switch Man, later as an Engineer helping to roll out the first fiber optic cable services in NYS, and eventually retiring from a managerial position with Verizon after more than 30 years’ service.  Jim was generally difficult to read, often maintaining a stoic façade while having a gentle, sensitive, loving and fun persona just below the surface.  This was illustrated by friends at work hanging a poster over his desk of a bald eagle’s face staring directly forward with the wording underneath “I am smiling”.  Jim enjoyed hosting large pool parties at his family’s home when his kids were growing up, and later hosting many Christmas holiday and summer pool parties with Bryan at their home in Averill Park.  Though often a man of very few words, on occasions once given a few beers, manhattans or martinis Jim would instantly become everyone’s best friend, laughing and hugging and becoming the life of the party. Jim loved dogs and shared special relationships with those he owned.  Ben was a Black Lab-mix rescue from Homeward Bound, then he adopted Rocky (Terrier-mix) when Angelique needed to find him a home.  After their passings he became a ‘Foster Dad’, successfully fostering several dogs from Homeward Bound, and eventually adopting Willow (Black Lab/Pit-mix) and finally becoming a dad to Boo Boo (Great Dane puppy with a torn ear). Jim will forever be missed by his family and his many two and four-legged friends throughout the Capital region.  As a quiet soul, he asked for no wake or funeral, but to be quietly cremated.   We’d like to offer heartfelt thanks to all who so lovingly cared for Jim, especially those at Whitney Young Health Center, the VNA and St. Peters/Hospice Inn. In lieu of flowers or gifts, he would have appreciated any donations be made to Homeward Bound Dog Rescue of NY, LLC or to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society. Arrangements by Simple Choices, Inc.  To leave a special message for the family, please visit: SimpleChoicesCremation.com