Final Salute

BOLTON LANDING – Edward J. Bartley III, “Ed” of Bolton Landing and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., passed away peacefully at Albany Medical Center on November 27, 2022, at the age of 82, after having lived an incredible life.
Ed was born in Albany to Louise Crisorio and Edward J. Bartley Jr., who predeceased him. He graduated from the Vincentian Institute (V.I.), class of 1958, and joined the Navy, proudly serving as a “Seabee,” in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Scotland, and Spain. Following his honorable discharge in 1963, Ed attended Siena College, graduating with a degree in accounting. He married Carole Barrus in 1964 and joined the state Department of Audit and Control, quickly moving his way up in N.Y.S. Government. He worked for many years at Division For Youth (D.F.Y.) and was instrumental in effectuating the merger of D.F.Y. and the Department of Social Services into the Office of Children and Family Services (O.C.F.S.). Ed served as the first O.C.F.S. executive deputy commissioner, retiring in 2000. He also operated his own business preparing taxes and bookkeeping for 40 years.
Ed, an only child, made many friends throughout his life, many of whom he considered family. Ed’s greatest joy was the family he made with Carole, who predeceased him in 2014. They are survived by two daughters, Kathleen and Elaine Bartley; a son-in-law, Eric Luper; and two adored grandchildren, Ethan Luper and Lily Luper. To say he doted on and was extraordinarily proud of his grandchildren is not an exaggeration. Ed was friendly and gregarious; he made friends easily, maintaining those friendships throughout life. He is survived by a network of lifelong friends including classmates from V.I. with whom he shared frequent luncheons until the weeks preceding his death. He was the best man in at least six weddings for friends he considered brothers.
As noted, Ed was extremely hardworking and considered himself fortunate to attain his dream of having homes in both Bolton Landing and Fort Lauderdale. Anywhere he went, Ed was surrounded by friends, often inviting them to join him in boating, island picnics, or barbeques at the “camp.” Ed was happy to serve them a beer, or later in life, a glass of red wine (over ice) and regale them with a colorful story of his youth in Albany, his Navy days, or tales of the cast of characters he encountered in his 82 years. Ed was a seasoned traveler, listing among his favorites France, Spain, Italy, Aruba, Hawaii, and any N.Y. Giants football trip he took with the “boys.” He was adored by his daughters’ friends and built up a bank of goodwill and friendship throughout his life. We would like to thank everyone who has shown such care and concern for him and helped him in his final months, including the staff of Albany Medical Center.
Please join us in celebrating Ed’s remarkable life on Sunday, December 11, from 3-6 p.m. at the Daniel Keenan Funeral Home, Inc., 490 Delaware Ave., Albany. His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, December 12, at 9 a.m. in All Saints Catholic Church, 16 Homestead St., Albany. Interment with military honors will follow at 11:30 a.m. in the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd., Schuylerville.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please make a memorial or tribute donation to the Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York, 1003 New Loudon Road, Suite 201, Cohoes, NY, 12047, or online at alz.org
Online condolences may be offered at www.danielkeenanfuneralhome.com.