Edward T Lawless

Edward T Lawless Saratoga Springs – Edward T. Lawless, 72, of Saratoga Springs, passed away Monday after a valiant battle with lung cancer. Born in Brooklyn, September 12, 1945, he was the son of the late Edward and Patricia (Kelly) Lawless. As a child, Ed lived on Long Island and in the Catskills, before settling in Rotterdam, and graduating from Mohonasen, Class of 63. Ed went to college at Hudson Valley Community College where he studied Heating and Air Conditioning Systems. After working on boilers with his dad as a kid; Ed started his own firm, ET Lawless and Co. in Ballston Spa. Early in his life, Ed’s community involvement included the Ballston Jaycees, the Saratoga Rotary Club, the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce where he served as President 1978-1979 and 1979-1980, and served as the 1981 Travers Week Committee Executive Director. In 1982, Ed met the love of his life, Kelly Smith of Saratoga Springs and changed careers to the roofing industry. Over the next 30+ years, Ed worked at various roofing positions and companies, retiring in 2015 as the General Manager of Tecta America WeatherGuard. During his career, Ed worked on many notable projects at the Saratoga Race Course, Skidmore College, and RPI, as well as reroofing the Southeast Lighthouse on Block Island. Ed was a tireless advocate for construction subcontractors, serving as a member of the Northeast Subcontractors Association for over 30 years, including as president in 1991-1992. Ed served on the national board of the American Subcontractors Association (ASA) from 1992-1997 and served as ASA-NY state president in 1996. From here, Ed became involved with his church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Schenectady. Ed has served in various church leadership roles including lector, parish council president, Men’s Society Treasurer and the Italian Foods Booth Chairman for the annual FESTA, held every year in July. Another of Ed’s passion was horseracing, both as a fan and an avid handicapper. One of Ed’s most recent accomplishments was dual qualifying for his seventh NTRA National Handicapping Championship held in Las Vegas February 2018 where he finished 33rd out of 703! Ed is survived by his wife of 32 years, Kelly; his sister, Lorraine Bisner, father in law Ron Smith (Betty Wiedemann), brother in law Kevin Smith (Pamela), and nieces and nephews Laurie Ann Richardson (Kenneth Oddy), Shawn Bisner (Chris), Michael Bisner (Michelle Hunsinger), Amanda Smith and Sean Smith, as well as grand nieces and nephews Macayla Richardson, Ashley Richardson, Kyle Bisner, Ryan Bisner, Adam Bisner; and many other dear family and friends. Calling Hours will be Monday, March 19th from 4 to 7 pm at Demarco Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Ave., Rotterdam, NY 12306. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 1255 Pleasant St., Schenectady. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 AM on Tuesday, March 20th at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Schenectady to which friends and relatives are invited. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens on 983 Watervliet Shaker Rd, Albany, NY. The family of Ed would like to thank Dr. John Delmonte and all the staff at Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Hematology / Oncology for the excellent care of Ed during his illness and to the myriad of family and friends sending good wishes and prayers his way, sincere thanks and appreciation. To leave condolences, and for directions, visit demarcostonefuneralhome.com.