ALBANY, N.Y. -- A longtime Capital Region philanthropist is being remembered.

Morris Massry started with a retail shop in Troy, which he developed into a real estate firm with apartment rentals in several states.

He spread that success through a family foundation that gave generously to Albany Medical Center and some local schools.

Those at the College of Saint Rose say thousands of students have been impacted by the Massry Center for the Arts. At UAlbany, the Massry Center for Business was named to honor the philanthropist in 2015.

This past July, Albany Medical Center opened the Massry Family Children’s Emergency Center. It’s the only pediatric emergency room in the area.

Throughout his life, Massry also served on a number of local boards, donating millions of dollars to organizations.

But the Capital Region’s colleges and universities will remember Massry for what he’s done to educate future generations.

"He believed in giving back. He believed in investing in human potential and the Massry family truly raised the bar when it comes to philanthropy and community engagement," says Fardin Sanai, the executive director of The University at Albany Foundation.

Massry was 89 years old.