Obituary of Dr. Andrew J. Bania

DR. ANDREW J. BANIA Dr. Andrew J. Bania, 92 of Cohoes, beloved husband of the late Irene Ann Drzewiecki, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 24th, 2021 at Albany Medical Center with family by his side, after a long battle with leukemia. Dr. Bania was born on September 26th, 1928, at home on 25th Street in Watervliet. He was the son of the late John and Aniela Magda Bania. He spent his childhood in Watervliet as the son of a baker and spent much time in and around his father's business, Bania Butter Bakery. Dr. Bania attended Catholic Central High School in Troy (Class of 1946), Siena College (Class of 1950) and attended Medical School at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (Class of 1954). He completed his residency at Massachusetts Osteopathic Hospital in Saggus, MA, practiced medicine in East Milton, Massachusetts. He was Board Certified in Family Medicine and member of the College of Occupational and Preventive Medicine. He married Irene Ann Drzewiecki on November 11th, 1957. They spent sixty-two loving years together raising a family and cherishing life before her passing in 2019. Dr. Bania spent forty-seven years at his own medical practice in Cohoes, on Garner St. retiring in 2004. Over the years he held many titles and roles within the professional medical community including President of the NYS Osteopathic Society, Faculty at NY College of Osteopathic Medicine, Medical Student Preceptor at NYCOM, Founding Partner of Physicians' Medical Group (Cohoes), and Albany Felt International's Medical Director-Employee Health Services. He served on staff at Cohoes Memorial Hospital as President of the Medical Board and served on many other hospital committees always advocating for the hospital to serve the community. He also served on staff at The Leonard Hospital, Albany Memorial Hospital, Samaritan Hospital, and St. Mary's Hospital of Troy. He had a large following of loving patients and often did house call for homebound and those who had difficulty getting out. Dr. Bania was an active member of the community and was involved in many organizations including St. Michael's Catholic Church where he served as a Eucharistic Minister, Diocesan Commission on Aging (appointed by the Bishop), Vice-President of the Cohoes Board of Education during the planning, design, and construction of the current Cohoes High School, Cohoes Public Library, Lake George Club, Lake George Land Conservancy, Lake George Association, Van Schiack Island Country Club, and Cohoes Music Hall. He advocated and supported various local Polish cultural events and organization including the Kosciuszko Foundation, Polish American Association and sponsored immigrants from Poland during communism. Dr. Bania also had a passion for traveling enjoying multiple tours traversing Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. He also enjoyed playing the piano, growing orchids, and motor boating and sailing on Lake George. His Lake George camp "Bayview" was a gathering place for the extended family and friends during the summers. Dr. Bania adapted to new technology at an advanced age and was always interested in new trends. Above all Dr. Bania loved his family. His deepest source of joy came from his wife, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. He was a role model to all who met him. He lived life without regret and was devoted to his Catholic faith, being good to and helping others, and will always be remembered for his success in life, profession and his love of family. Survivors include his five children: Christopher (Robin) Bania, Dr. Theodore "Tod" Bania (Dr. Gregory Almond), Dr. Margaret Bania, Dr. Merita Bania, and Dr. John Paul Bania; two sisters Constance Alston and Antoinette Halayko; two grandchildren Kristen (Matt) Phelan and Brooke Wojcik. In addition to his parents and loving wife, Dr. Bania is predeceased by his brother Thaddeus Bania and sister Mary Hanczor. Relatives are invited to attend the Visitation, Mass of Christian Burial, and Interment. Due to COVID-19, if friends of the family wish to attend any of these services, please contact the family directly as per their wishes. In lieu of flower, a donation can be made to St. Michael's Church or the American Cancer Society. For those wishing to attend the service remotely, services will be live streamed at St. Michael's Church. (https://www.stmichaelsofcohoes.org/) For information, to light a memory candle, or order flowers for the family please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com.