Edward H. McElroy Jr.

Niskayuna - Edward Hugh McElroy Jr., 89, passed away peacefully on July 15, 2025. He was born on December 29,1935 to Edward Hugh McElroy Sr. and Katherine K. (Keigher) McElroy. His older sisters Geraldine (Keyes) McElroy and Kathleen (Chandler) McElroy welcomed him to what became Edward’s life-long home on Rugby Road until his move to Glen Eddy in 2017. St. Helen’s Church (now St. Kateri Tekakwitha) was the family’s spiritual home where Ed continued his membership for his entire life. He spent many years there as a volunteer accountant. He referred to it with a twinkle as “counting the money”. The McElroys were proud of their Irish heritage, and Ed Sr. would often mention a leprechaun who ducked out of sight before the children could see him. Ed. Sr. rose through the ranks at Trustco Bank; starting at the age of 15 literally sweeping the floors and doing errands; and retiring as a vice president. He instilled a love of the banking industry in his son.

Edward graduated from Schenectady’s Nott Terrace High School in 1954. He received a BA in economics from Tufts University in 1958. While at Tufts, he was a staff member of the school’s newspaper and the manager of their radio station. Barnum donated the stuffed hide of Jumbo the Elephant to Tufts in 1889 where it became a significant part of Tufts’ history and traditions emphasizing themes of strength, resilience, and good luck. Ed began his lifelong passion for elephants; and collected elephant themed art from around the world. He earned an MBA from Columbia University. Ed proudly worked for the Federal Government as a bank examiner where he often spent long weeks in distant cities making sure that things were “done correctly”.

Edward served in the Army for four years. He would arrive at the Keyes house in Amityville from basic training at Ft. Dix with mud-caked laundry in his duffle bag. As Ed described it, he was stationed in Schwandorf, Germany from the age of 22-26. His tank group “was assigned to the mountain passes when the Berlin wall was going up, and their mission was to sacrifice themselves to delay a Russian advance.” Unfortunately, other tales of his service have been lost to time.

Ed was an avid and adventurous world traveler. From the Orient Express to cargo ships in the South Pacific, to the treasures of Egypt, to the fjords of Norway, to the streets of London – Ed spent his life traveling in and enjoying interesting places all over the world. He introduced his sisters to the joys of cruising and accompanied them on many expeditions.

Edward loved animals although he was never able to have his own pets. Family often teased him with talk of having him pet-sit. The love of his life was Navi the Golden Retriever who brought him joy in his later years.

Ed moved from Rugby Rd to the community at Glen Eddy in Niskayuna where he resided until his death. He met many cherished friends there. His wit and dry humor were assets to all. Ed was a prolific reader throughout his life; particularly enjoying enormous scholarly biographies and who-done-it mysteries. He loved the library at Glen Eddy and volunteered there.

Survivors include the children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren of his sisters Geraldine (the Keyes family) and Kathleen (the Chandler family). Many happy memories include “Uncle” at family gatherings in Long Island and Schenectady. Ed was particularly close to his cousin Bob McElroy who predeceased him by many years.

He is survived by first generation nieces and nephews Geraldine Keyes (Michael Safran), Patrick Keyes (Jo Ann), Katherine (Chandler) Hamlin (Alan), Alison Chandler (Fred Johnson), Emily (Chandler) Witbeck (Bill), Arlene (Chandler) Moran, and Theresa (Chandler) Fallon (Peter); and the late Elizabeth (Keyes) Kelleher (Peter), Thaddeus Chandler, and Michael Chandler.

The interment was done privately at the Kateri Meadow Natural Burial field at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, please consider sowing some native wildflowers in your community, or donating in Ed’s (and Navi’s) name to ECAD (Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities) at www.ecad1.org . Ed has already specified his own gifts to Kateri Tekakwitha Parish and the Glen Eddy Library.