Edward J Beaupre

Rotterdam - On Saturday, July 30, 2016 at 4:43 PM, our lives changed forever when Edward Joseph Beaupre took his last breath in this world and transitioned into the heavenly kingdom of our Lord and Savior to join his beautiful wife, Wanda and other family members who had gone on before him. Edward was the only child of Mary Catherine Cook Beaupre and Ephraim Joseph Beaupre, born in Albany, New York on April 12, 1920. He attended St. Columbus School, then signed up for the draft. He served in the United States Army Air Force, 883rd Bomb Squadron Air Offensive serving in the Pacific Theater on Saipan and was honorably discharged at the end of WWII in November 1945. Ed attended and graduated from Albany Medical Center’s first EMS Training Program and completed Red Cross and Advanced Red Cross Training, attended and graduated from Greer Institute, Chicago as a Licensed Diesel Mechanic, and received training and certification from the American Motors Society of Automotive Technicians. On February 17, 1946 he married the “love of his life” Wanda Jedrzejewski, and in 1951 they purchased their first and only home in Rotterdam, NY, where they raised their two daughters, Kathleen and Nancy. The family joined St. Gabriel’s church where Ed faithfully served as an usher beginning in 1953. For the past 4 years fulfilling usher duties became physically challenging so his new role became “official greeter”, where he would sit in his wheelchair by the main entrance greeting the people and priests of the parish that he so loved. He always had a smile on his face and would always remind people “I’m still here, GOD did’nt called me yet.” When he came home from the war, he worked at GE Turbine until 1948 when he was laid off. Later that same year, Ed met and was hired by Fred Guevin who had taken over operating an ambulance service from Ellis Hospital. This led him to having the distinction of being the first Schenectady Ambulance Driver in Schenectady County. He would later work for Fred Fahey, owner of Mohawk Ambulance retiring from that position in 1973 after 25 years of total service. During this time he delivered 8 babies in his career and described this as “one of the greatest careers he could ask for.” He later became a Shop Foreman/Manager of the trucking fleet at Pacific Molasses Company in Albany, retiring in 1982 after 25 years of service. For enjoyment, Drum Corps. was a big part of his life for many years. In 1933 he joined Post 1091 American Legion Drum Corp with his childhood friend Francis Stone. Later in 1937 the Beverly Hose Corp, 1938 the VFW Fife and Drum Corps, 1940 The Boy Rangers of Cohoes. In 1948 Ed formed the Schenectady County Drum Corps until 1952 when the Corps. disbanded, and he went back to Cohoes to join the Empire State Grenadiers until 1958 when they disbanded and moved to Massachusetts to become the Interstatesmen. Because of his lengthy experience and contacts with the Drum Corps, in 1970 Ed was asked to be music chairman for 18 divisions of the Rotterdam Sesquicentennial Parade. Now he was in his “element” once again. He brought Corps in from all over the northeast and Canada. Needless to say the parade was a big success. His next venture was forming the Metroland Promotions along with John Kirvin, Francis Stone and John Chakas to hold the “Mardi Gras of Champions” Drum and Bugle Corp Contests held at Mt. Pleasant High School during the early 1970‘s. In August 1972 Ed became a member of the Rotterdam Kiwanis. He served as President from 1977-78, was voted “Kiwanian of the Year” in 1981, and received the Distinguished Service Award for Exceptional Service in 1985. In March 2003 he was granted the status of Life Member of Kiwanis International in recognition of valued contributions and dedication to Kiwanis and community. He and his wife enjoyed traveling with the club to attend district and international meetings. While traveling extensively with his wife he began collecting pins of the states and airlines. One day in 1982 while reading the newspaper he came across an advertisement looking for people interested in forming a pin club. The following week Ed met with Donald Bigsby in Herkimer, NY and the rest was history. The Olympian Pin Club was born and today there are over 800 members world-wide. Ed became an avid collector of Olympic Pins and Memorabilia making friends all over the world, including IOC members. He attended the Olympics in Calgary which was one of the biggest thrills in his life. He spent a lot of time in Lake Placid and eventually became good friends with the Shea Family spanning 3 generations of Olympic medalists. Ed would best be described as a truly happy man who always had a contagious smile on his face, and a personality that would light up any room, full of life, making it his mission to make people happy, devoted to his family and friends, always positive even when encountering challenges in life. Always talking about Dolly Parton (whom he met in Nashville) Once his friend always his friend. Ed was predeceased by wife Wanda of 64 years; Sister-in-law and brother-in-law Florence and Leo Argay; sisters-in-law Marge Jendreski, Marilyn Jandro and grandson Wayne Burton. Ed is survived by his loving daughters, Kathleen (Ken) Smith Glenville, Nancy Whitney of South Carolina, cherished grandchildren, Joanne (Shawn Jr.) King Amsterdam; Edward Smith (Valerie) Glenville; Kenneth (KP) Smith Rotterdam; and Aaron Smith Scotia; Melissa (Scott) Lieberman, Halfmoon; Danielle (Eric) Saglimbeni, Lancaster, South Carolina; Megan Whitney, South Carolina. Adoring great-grandchildren Corey Smith, Guilderland; Samantha Saglimbeni, Lancaster, South Carolina; Shawn King III, Amsterdam; Audrianna Saglimbeni, Lancaster, South Carolina; Jacob Harrington, Naples, Florida; Wyatt Smith, Glenville, and adoring great-great grandaughter Nevaeh McGriff, of Lancaster, South Carolina. Brother-in-laws, Richard Jendreski and William Jandro both of Sarasota, Florida. Also survived by many much loved nieces and nephews, best friend and loved like a brother, Glen Sauter of Glenville; long time friend and fellow Olympic Pin Club buddy, Don Bigsby, Guilderland and good friend and kindred spirit, Gracie at Baptist Nursing. The family would like to express their gratitude for the amazing staff on 2N at the Baptist Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, for the love and care shown to Dad. He loved everyone he came in contact with and we know the feeling was mutual. Thank You from the bottom of our hearts. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, August 3rd from 5-8pm at DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Ave., Rotterdam. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Funeral services will begin at 10:45am on Thursday morning at the funeral home, followed at 11:30am at the Church of St. Gabriel, 3040 Hamburg St., Rotterdam, where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated. Interment with military honors will be in St. Adalbert’s Cemetery in Rotterdam. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ed’s name can be made to the Patriot Riders of NY, Inc., Attn: Bill Schaaf, 114 Lord Ave., Troy, NY 12180 or to Baptist Health Nursing and Rehab, Attn: Activities Dept., 297 N. Ballston Ave., Scotia, NY 12302.