John H. Sulzman Jr. (Troy Record 12/15/2004)
He was born on October 29, 1939, the son of the late John H. Sulzman M.D. and Helen Coffey Sulzman of Troy.
Mr. Sulzman was a graduate of Georgetown University, and held a master of social work degree from the state University of New York at Albany.
A licensed social worker, he was the assistant director of the New York State Child Abuse and Maltreatment Register. He worked in the field of child prevention and protection for 38 years. His career began at Albany County Social Services as a case worker, after which he worked in various capacities, culminating in directing the county's Protective Services unit. While working at Albany County Social Services, he was instrumental in forming the Child Abuse and Neglect Council, a broad-based community effort to build community resources for helping families and ameliorating child abuse.
He also served under Bishop (then Father) Hubbard at Providence House, serving as a field supervisor for Roman Catholic seminarians in community casework in the South End of Albany.
He joined the state Department of Social Services as assistant director of the Child Abuse and Maltreatment Register in 1981. During his tenure at the state Register, he completed the takeover of the New York City local reporting system and cemented relationships with New York City Children's Services officials. From time to time, he served as consult to the Inter-Manhattan Hospital Committee, fostering better communications between the large private hospitals and the Health and Hospital Corporation. In more recent years, Mr. Sulzman's work focused on improved communications between the state and the upstate child protective services units. He helped develop training materials and programs for child protective service practitioners and persons mandated to report suspected abuse and neglect.
For several years, Mr. Sulzman served on the board of Abba House in Albany. He was a communicant at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany.
He is survived by his best friend and wife of 36 years, Susannah Sulzman, and by his beloved son, Michael Patrick Sulzman, both of Albany. He is also survived by his mother, Helen Coffey Sulzman of Troy; his brothers and sisters-in-law, James and Margaret Sulzman, of North Adams, MA, Dr. Frank and Dr. Patricia Sulzman of Long Island, Paul Sulzman of Troy, Timothy and Michelle Sulzman of Nashville, TN, Charles Sulzman M.D. and his wife Susan Sulzman of Brunswick; his brother-in-law, George Hurd of Lavergne, TN; sister-in-law Marguerite Sulzman of Tampa, FL; his nephew, David Sulzman and his nieces Nora, Anne, Meredith, Jennifer, and Heather, and their families; his aunt, Jane Trimble, of Troy; and numerous cousins and their families. He is also survived by many friends, including his Cairn terrier friends, Farley and Fiona.
The family wishes to extend special thanks to Lawerence Garbo M.D. of NY Hematology/Oncology at St. Peter's Hospital, as well as his excellent staff, for all of their kindness and support during John's illness. We also wish to thank Community Hospice of Albany for their care and support.
Mr. Sulzman requested cremation so there will be no viewing hours. There will be a memorial wake and service at McVeigh Funeral Home today from 4-7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Saturday at 9 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Food Pantry, Abba House or to PanCan, a research and information organization for pancreatic cancer in his memory.
John H. Sulzman Jr., 65, died at home on December 14, 2004, surrounded by his family.