Oby, Philip Vanfossen Jr. NISKAYUNA Philip Vanfossen Oby Jr., 91, passed away on Thursday, November 3, 2016. He was born on September 29, 1925, in Canton, Ohio and was a decendant of John Howland, who took passage on the Mayflower. His antecedents include two colonial governors, patriots in the Continental Army during the Revolution, and various individuals who fought in the Civil War and World War I. He enlisted in the army at the age of 17 and saw action in Europe, 1944, and was wounded in action. Returning home, he attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute under the G.I. Bill and earned a degree in physics. He married in 1950 and continued his education at Union College, earning a master's degree in physics. Fathering four children, he worked his way up in the business world, concentrating on the new world of computers. He worked for a number of different companies including General Electric, Allied Chemical, and eventually ended up as the director of Systems and Data Processing, State of New York, Environmental Conservation. A life-long conservationist, he was involved in a variety of issues aimed at preserving the natural environment of the State of New York and retired in 1983. He is survived by two children, Anne E. Burtle of Lawrenceville, Ga. and Stephen J. Oby of Schenectady; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Anne W. Oby; and two sons, Philip V. Oby III and Christopher D. Oby. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 9, from 5-7 p.m. at New Comer Funeral Home, Colonie. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday in St. John's Cemetery, Lansingburgh.