Edmund F. Partell

ALTAMONT – Edmund F. Partell, 98, of Altamont, died Thursday, March 1, 2012.  Edmund was born February 27, 1914 in Troy, NY, the son of Clark and Elizabeth Preston Partell.  He served in the United States Navy during World War II in the Atlantic Theatre, and retired in 1979 from the NYS Dept of Transportation after 28 years of service.  He was a longtime parishioner of the former St. Margaret Mary’s Church in Albany, and St. Lucy’s Church in Altamont.

Edmund enjoyed a long and active life.  The youngest of ten children and the only boy, he learned early on the value of effort and responsibility.  Always there to give support or a helping hand, Ed generously did his best to contribute.  Ed was a loving and dedicated husband to Mariam for 65 years.  Ed liked everyone and people responded to that, especially children who sensed his kind and gentle nature.  He enjoyed his role as an Uncle and he unassumingly demonstrated this love to his nieces and nephews throughout his lifetime.  Ed’s spirit called him to be active in church life and over the years he did much to help others in their need.  Of particular importance to him was the canonization of Kateri Tekakwitha, the “Lily of the Mohawks”, who’s life he admired for her courageous spirit.  Ed liked nature and spent many summers in the Adirondacks fishing, tenting and later at his camp on Green Pond near Saranac Lake.  His appreciation of wilderness was contagious and he shared this love with many friends and family.  Ed enjoyed tending his vegetable garden and sharing the produce with others.  Other times, Ed would be found working on carpentry projects, building Adirondack-style tables, and giving them to lucky family or friends.

Ed was predeceased by his wife Mariam Hallenbeck Partell; and by his sisters Irene Fitzgerald, Margaret Robinson, Agnes Robinson, Helen O’Neill, Elizabeth Kinlock, Sr.Gertrude Joseph Partell, and Gertrude Doogan; he is survived by his nieces and nephews Beverly Gillette, Joan & Ray Fletcher, Nancy Studer, and Mary Lynne Van Waldick; and by many grandnieces and grandnephews.

Edmund’s family would like to extend special thanks to all the fine caregivers who tended to him during his illness. We are especially thankful for the efforts of Father Paul Smith, Dr. Charles Trout, and the Community Hospice. We are also grateful to Stephen Hans for his kindness, thoughtfulness, and flexibility in assisting our family.

A Mass of Christian Burial and interment service were held privately.  The family suggests memorial contributions to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Rd., Latham, NY 12110-4799.  To leave a message of condolence for the family or send a sympathy card, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.

Click here to view Ed’s resting place in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Colonie, NY.