Joseph P. Spadaro, a World War II veteran who worked as an electrician and enjoyed playing bingo, died Wednesday, Aug. 24, at his Saratoga Springs home with his family by his side. He was 96.

He was born on Sept. 21, 1919 in Knox, to Mary and Cyrus Spadaro.

After graduating from Altamont High School in 1939, he served in the United States Army for four years in the Pacific during World War II. In 1946, he married Cora Dexter and they had two sons, Robert and Ronald. His wife died in 1982.

After serving in the military, Mr. Spadaro worked as an electrician at the Army depot in Guilderland Center and at the Watervliet Arsenal, retiring in 1974. He also worked at the Altamont Fair for many years.

In 1986, he married Betty Schiltz in Las Vegas, Nevada. For 22 years, they spent winters in Henderson, Nevada and summers in Saratoga, driving back and forth.

“He was an avid bingo player and enjoyed the slots, especially Keno,” his family wrote in a tribute. “While living in Nevada, Joe and Betty also enjoyed gold mining, going to new casino openings, and implosions of the old casinos.”

The Spadaros moved back to Saratoga in 2013 after Mr. Spadaro suffered a stroke. Since then he has been in declining health.

He loved his cat, Bingo.

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Joseph P. Spadaro is survived by his wife, Betty; his stepchildren, Donna Schadow, Steve Schiltz, Chuck Schiltz, Jim Schiltz and his wife, Suzanne, and Doug Schiltz; his step-grandchildren, Jessica Altman and her husband, Brian, Kristen Hatt and her husband, Carl, Steve Schiltz, Andrew Schiltz, and Devon Schiltz; and his step great-grandson, Levi Altman.

He is also survived by his nieces, Susie Arnold and her husband, David, Terri McCoy and Peter Audet; his great-nieces Emilie Arnold, Bethany Threlfall and her husband, Kurt, and Coventry; and his great-grand-niece Lily; his sister-in-law, Betty Spadaro; his cousins, Anthony Spadaro, Frank Spadaro and his wife, Susan, Patricia Spadaro, and Linda Miller and her husband, Charles.

His first wife, Cora Spadaro, died before him, as did their sons, Robert Spadaro and Ronald Spadaro; his stepson, Joseph Schiltz; his sisters Rose Vinehout and her husband, Marshall and Helen McCoy and her husband, William; his brother, Patrick; his nephew, Richard Spadaro; and his cousin, Mark Spadaro.

There will be a military graveside service at Fairview Cemetery in Altamont, on Saturday, Aug. 27, at 11 a.m. followed by memory sharing at the home of Donna Schadow in Burnt Hills. Arrangements are by Frednendall Funeral Home of Altamont. Mourners may leave online condolences at www.fredendallfuneralhome.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to one of Mr. Spadaro’s favorite charities: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Post Office Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101.