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.
Roslyn Watrobski
My father, Al, and my siblings and I were blessed to join my Aunt Emily, Uncle Buddy, Aunt Irene and Aunt Helen many a Saturday at Ed and Miriam’s place on Green Pond. Ed’s gracious, gentle, kind and living nature were a part of every visit. We fished all the live long day, fed chipmunks, enjoyed good food and conversation, and played penny ante poker games well into the night. I will never forget Ed and Miriam. They had a powerful impact on my family on the lesson of friendship. On behalf of the entire Watrobski family, I offer our sincerest condolences to the Partel and Hallenbeck families, along with our thanks in being able to witness and partake in Ed’s exceptionally beautiful life.
Ed and Sue Moss
Sue and I will miss Ed and Miriam. We still miss ed working out in
the yard on the warm summer day he all way had time to talk
and to help when he could Sue and Ed Moss
Kathy Doogan Damerel
My myself, brother, Ed and all the Partell cousins remember our Uncle Ed and Aunt Miriam with great fondness. They were a warm and loving couple. We always looked forward to our Uncle Ed coming to visit my Grandparents ’cause he took us to the ice cream parlor and that was a very special treat for little kids!
He loved to play cards with my Grandpa and always enjoyed Grandma’s home-made bread and rolls. Unfortunately the last time I saw him was at my Uncle Ted’s wake and that was too long ago. This was my fault and I regret that. I did try to see him a couple of years ago but by this time he was ill and not up to seeing family. He will always be remember by our Partell family lovingly. Our sincerest condolences to all family and friends for the loss of the gentle soul.