NEW SCOTLAND — Sydney A. Dunston died at home on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

He was born Oct. 14, 1935 in Guilderland to William A. Dunston and Elsie A. Smith, the eldest of four brothers. A graduate of Voorheesville’s high school, he lived in the town of New Scotland for most of his life.

He was a 30-year employee of AT&T Long Lines in Albany, retiring at age 48. He was, at the same time, self-employed in the automotive industry for over 50 years as Dunston Bros. with his brother Neale at the Shell station across from the old Indian Ladder Drive-In and later, on the hill with his daughter, Diane.

He served as union shop steward for his local CWA. He was past president of the Automotive Recyclers Association of New York and one of the early founders of the Empire State Towing and Recovery Association.

He was a longtime parishioner and usher at St. Matthew’s Church.

“Syd was a lifelong fan of car racing,” his family wrote in a tribute. “As a young man, he served as pit crew for his brother, Neale, and enjoyed years of attending NASCAR races with friends and family and following the Cup series on television.

“A supportive father and grandfather, Bompa was always there for the activities and events important to his granddaughters over many years. He was a talented, kind and generous man.”

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Sydney A. Dunston is survived by his devoted wife, Diane Malinowski Dunston; three daughters, Dr. Marybeth Ford (James), Diane Dunston (Greg Giguere), and Colleen Dunston (Thomas Anderson); five granddaughters, Abigail Setlur (Swetadri), Erin Brackett (Castra Momprevil), Dr. Sydney Ford, Gillian Ford, and Hannah Brackett; two great-granddaughters, Swara and Aavni Setlur; three brothers, William, Robert, and Sam Dunston; sister-in-law Joan Dunston and their families.

He was “Sir Sydney” to his two stepdaughters, Beth Palmer (Jason) and Emily Sombke (Henry) and “Papa” to their children, Teddy Palmer and Sienna and Hudson Sombke.

His first wife and the mother of his children, Jacquelin Scoons Dunston, died before him, as did his brother, Neale.

His funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, at St. Matthew’s Church at 25 Mountainview St. in Voorheesville. Relatives and friends are invited and may also call at the church on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., prior to the Mass.

Interment at Calvary Cemetery will be private for the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Community Hospice, 445 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Post Office Box 50, Memphis, TN  38101-9929.