Albany-Warren W. Abriel, Jr., 76, of Albany, NY entered eternal life surrounded by his
loving family on April 3, 2025. He was born January 19, 1949, in Albany, New York, the
oldest child of Warren Sr. and Gladys (Hart) Abriel. Warren was raised in North Albany,
attended School 20, Philip Livingston and graduated from Albany High School. At a young
age Warren, a fourth-generation firefighter, acquired a love for the fire service as his
father, Warren Sr., grandfather, Franklin Abriel, and great grandfather, Reuben Abriel, all
were members of the Albany Fire Department dating back to 1867. Before joining the
Albany Fire Department in 1972, Warren briefly attended Hudson Valley Community
College and then served his country by joining the United States Navy where he was a
Gunners Mate Technician 2nd Class between 1967-1971 on the USS Canopus based in
Holy Loch, Scotland.

Over his 46 years of service with the Albany Fire Department, Warren was appointed to
the positions of Firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief, Deputy Chief, Executive
Deputy Chief and Chief. While working at the Albany Fire Department, Warren earned an
Associate’s Degree from Schenectady County Community College, a Bachelor’s Degree
from Empire State College and a Masters of Public Administration from Russell Sage
College. For nearly three decades Warren was a part-time Tutor/Advisor for the National
Fire Academy program run through Empire State College and also served as a New York
State Fire Instructor for six years. Warren was awarded in 2006 the Arnold L. Steigman
Award by the State Academy of Public Administration recognizing excellence in teaching
public administration. Warren’s professional associations included the International
Association of Fire Chiefs, National Fire Protection Association, New York State
Association of Fire Chiefs and State Academy for Public Administration. Warren most
recently served as a Commissioner on the Albany Port District Commission, a Member of
the City of Albany Water Board and a Member of the Albany Firefighters Museum Board.

For fun, Warren enjoyed watching his grandsons’ sporting events, including hundreds of
baseball games, including ten years at Tri-Village Little League, multiple New York State
Little League Championship Tournaments and Cooperstown Dreams Park Tournaments
and Bethlehem High School Baseball. Warren enjoyed dinners and breakfasts with friends
and family, following the stock market, watching professional golf events, attending USS
Canopus reunions and chronicling the history of the Albany Fire Department, particularly
the 46 years during which he was a member.

Warren was also an avid photographer and fan of the James Bond franchise and the music
of Roy Orbison and Gene Pitney. Later in life Warren took up the sport of golf and enjoyed
playing many rounds with his friends and family at Wolfert’s Roost Country Club (where he
was active with the ROB’s), Town of Colonie Golf Course, Seven Oaks Golf Course and
Lake Buena Vista Golf Club. Warren also enjoyed a long affiliation with the University Club
of Albany, where he served as its President, and was an active participant in its Tuesday
night bowling league and annual Duck Dinner. Warren enjoyed vacationing with his family
at Disney World and Ogunquit, Maine, and spending time with family at Lake Moraine,
Hamilton, New York.

Warren’s life was exemplified by his service to others and he was a generous and humble
man of great faith and he had a quick wit, wonderful sense of humor and big heart. He will
be sorely missed by his family and friends, but he would also want everyone to be
comforted by the fact that he lived a full, meaningful and prosperous life and leaves
behind a lasting family legacy, including a grandson and several nephews in the fire
service. Warren is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Mary Theresa; his daughter,
Michele; his son-in-law, John N. Vagianelis; and his grandsons William N. Vagianelis and
John J. Vagianelis (Jack); his sister, Linda Meservey and sisters-in-law, Janet Abriel and
Linda Abriel and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Warren was predeceased by his brothers, Theodore Abriel and Henry Abriel; brother-inlaw,
Bruce Meservey, and infant granddaughter, Cathryn Marie Vagianelis.