Obituary of Theodore Yale Proskin

THEODORE " TED" YALE PROSKIN Theodore (Ted) Yale Proskin, age 81 of Cherry Hill Drive in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, formerly of Kings Point, Flanders P, Delray Beach, Florida died on Monday January 11, 2010 at the home of his son and daughter-in- law in Pittsfield where he moved in October of 2009 to make his home. Born in Albany, NY on September 25, 1928 he was the son of the late Harry and Betty Levin Proskin. Ted graduated from Phillip Schuyler High School in 1946 and attended Siena College. He served in the U.S. Navy and was discharged in 1950. Ted had been employed by the State of New York, Department of Taxation and Finance and later in his career for the New York State Lottery Division from which he retired in 1983.Ted was known best for his decades of owning Proskin Studios in Albany, NY where he photographed hundreds of weddings. He also worked part time as a photographer for the Knickerbocker News and loved to tell the story about photographing Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris in 1960 at Yankee Stadium. Ted was also a pistol safety instructor. He and his wife Pat are remembered for their big family picnics in their back yard on Ellendale Drive in Colonie. They loved vacationing with their entire family in Long Beach Island, New Jersey. In his later years Ted enjoyed doing word puzzles with his friends and family and those that knew Ted knew that he loved to tell stories of his life. During his last few months of life he couldn't wait for his son to come home from work so they could sit for hours working on a puzzle. Ted was married to Patricia Crystal Proskin who passed away in February of 2004. He is survived by his children, Howard Proskin and his wife, Dorothy of Rochester, NY, Donna Proskin Panzarino and her husband James of Danbury, Ct. and Robert Proskin and his wife Mary Curry Proskin of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Brother of Devera Ungerman and brother-in-law Herm and Arnold Proskin and his wife Martha. Grandfather of Daniel, David and Martin Proskin, Mark, Nick, Ben and Sammy Panzarino and Ryan Curry Ricchi. Great grandfather of Grace Victoria Proskin. Ted also leaves many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews. Services at the Levine Memorial Chapel, 649 Washington Avenue Albany on Thursday January 14, 2010 at 11:00am. Interment will follow in the Hebrew Farmers Cemetery in Guilderland, NY. On Friday, January 15 a gathering in Ted's honor will be hosted by his family at 21 Cherry Hill Drive (Off Walden Lane), Pittsfield, Massachusetts from 1-4pm. Ted' family would like to extend their sincere appreciation and gratitude to Hospice Care of the Berkshires who became an extended part of his family, as well as his newest friendship with Rabbi Josh Breindel. The family asks in lieu of flowers that donations be made to either Temple Anshe Amunim's Music Fund or Hospice Care of the Berkshires.