Edward R. Keeler II, age 76 , passed away on October 7 surrounded by his loving family following a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born in Utica on October 12, 1946, the son of the late Edward Keeler and Phyllis (Bascom) Keeler (Humphrey).

He was the middle child with an older sister, Rowene, and a younger sister Sue.

His father passed away when he was just 4 years old, and his mother took on the role of both the Mother and Father.

Although Ed grew up poor, he enjoyed his childhood with his two sisters, who would say he was a bit mischievous and defiant at times.

In 1970, Ed married Chris Bialek, and they had two children together; Erica and Edward R. Keeler III.

His second marriage was to Joanna Locash in 2002.

In 2014, his granddaughter Madelyn was born, and Ed became "Papa".  He would often be seen on the floor playing with her…or should we say teasing her.

·       Ed graduated from Utica Free Academy in 1964, received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio in 1969 with a major in History, Government, and Education.

·       In 1971, he received a Master of Science Degree in Social Studies Education from Syracuse University in political Science, Sociology, Social Psychology and Education.

·       Ed also completed his C.A.S. program at SUNY Utica/Rome in 1979.

·       During his educational years, he was a member of Kappa Delta PI Honor Society and Phi Eta Tau Honor Society.

·       He also attended Syracuse University, where he matriculated in a PH. D program

·       He began his extensive educational career in 1969 as a teacher of English and Social Studies for 7th and 8th grade students at Brandegee School.

He enjoyed the role of a teacher and school administrator and had a special place in his heart for the students he taught at Brandagee School.

·       In 1973, he taught at Proctor High School as a Social Studies teacher in the individualized instruction program.

·       (During this timeline, he also worked as an adjunct Professor at Utica College as a Sociology Instructor.)

·       In 1979, he began serving in a leadership role as Vice Principal at Utica Free Academy.

·        In 1986 he took on an administrative role as Principal of Kernan School.

·       In 1997, he continued as a school administrator serving as a Principal of Donovan Middle School.

·       In 2002, he retired as School Administrator of the Utica City School District.

·       From 2000 to 2012, he was Vice President of the New York School Labor Union.

·       He also worked for the Empire State and Administration Association as an Administrator Organizer from 2000-2012.

Ed was a proud man who worked hard for what he accomplished in life.  He was a good father and grandfather, and he made sure his children grew up learning the importance of a good day's work.   He was the kind of man who knew the value of working to one's potential, the importance of honesty, and the strength resulting from humility.  He was an honest man who would never utter a lie or intentionally deceive. And he taught his family by example.

He truly brought an immense amount of joy and laughter into our home.   There was always laughter in the house, and he made his family chuckle even when his family was the target of his jokes. He often went around the table, no one was missed. He liked to tease his wife, but his favorite person to playfully harass was his granddaughter, Maddy. He was a bit of a prankster and liked to bang on the bathroom door when you least expected it.  (But no one ever got mad at him because he had a witty sense of humor and a deep love for his family and friends.) He was just a funny guy with a thousand stories.

Maddy would call him every evening to say good night.  To which Papa would respond every single time," Who is this?" to which she would always respond, "It's Madelyn."  Later, Madelyn would reverse the role with her Papa when he called and asked him "Who is this?"

He then would tell her "she" was his favorite grandchild to which she would respond, "I'm your only grandchild."  Then they would laugh, and the cycle begins again the next night.

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Ed was a man who took care of himself.  He exercised, took long walks, went to all his medical appointments, ate the right foods, for the most part, with the exception of having something sweet each and every morning.

He was a very structured person. You could set your watch on what time he got out of bed to when he took a shower to when he had dinner each night.  There could be no disruption of the schedule and modifications were not an option.

He was an animal lover.  He loved his dogs, cats, and birds. He cherished his pets Saranac, Mia, Layla and Piggy prior to their passing.  He would often be seen filling the bird feeders, giving treats to the neighbors' dogs, petting the family cat Ollie or Moca for hours while watching the news; and most recently, his new puppy Jadie and her sister Mazie

He was an abrupt driver.  Pushing on the gas pedal when others would apply the brakes.  He drove no different when his dogs were in the car, who often fell to the base board during a casual drive.

His interests included golf.  He loved to play golf with friends including Chuck, Joe, and Bob.

He had a wonderful, soothing voice but he was a bad singer but that didn't stop him from calling his family to "loudly" sing happy birthday over the phone every year.

He was a smart man and very knowledgeable in politics and history. While watching Jeopardy, he took pride in responding prior to the contestants' responses.  Even toward the end, he would sit in the recliner, eyes closed, responding correctly.

He relished the good things in life, including music, travel, food and wine, friends and family. He liked to eat, he always wanted it piping hot, and he always ate too fast. His family would tell him that no one was going to take his food away from him.  He ignored them.  Sometimes sitting next to him eat, unconsciously instigated a race to eat.

He enjoyed many meals with his best friend Pat and with the large group of friends called the "birthday Club" Marianne, Chipper, Scott, Chris, Donna, Richie, Marti, Cheryl, and Jimmy,

He was a generous man who loved his family. Often taking his entire family out to dinner or in-house. His family was the most important thing to him, and the Friday night dinners with his family became routine.  Talking politics and, of course, teasing his granddaughter, also became commonplace.  His generosity, expressed with his money, matched his generosity of spirit.

He hated the cold and sought warmer climates during the winter months.  In his younger days, he vacationed in Jamaica 12 times.  Later, he chose to live in Florida during the winter months.    His family and granddaughter enjoyed visiting him each February.

He was also an avid reader and passed that passion on to his granddaughter. When Maddy was little, he would sit and read books to her, later,…. she would read to him.

He was a wonderful husband to his wife Joanna and a good father to his children.  He was very close to his children, and of course, they "love" him very much.  He was a bit stubborn and cranky sometimes but a very strong man. He was the "Rock" of the family he loved.  His strength and love will live on through his family.

As Ed helped his wife write his own obituary, he wanted to thank his daughter Erica for bringing him the joy of his life, of course, that would be his granddaughter, Madelyn.  He also wanted to thank her for being by his side the whole time he was in Hospice.

He also wanted to thank Erica and Maddy for loving him so much.  He appreciated both of them for always being there for him and for bringing him lunch and smoothies all the time.

They would hand him the smoothie and he'd take a sip, and say "That's Tasty" and he would smile.  We all smiled.

And to Maddy's father, John who brought birdseed and enough water for the entire hospital to drink when Ed was in hospice; among other things.

He also wanted to thank his son Ed and his wife Valerie for spending so much time helping him out with anything he asked for. Anything.  Again, they were always there for him and willing to spend hours building a wardrobe and bringing his car back for repairs. They, too, loved him very much, and he knew it.

He thanked his wife, Joanna, for all that she did for him and the care and love she provided for the last 39 years, but especially the last 16 months of his illness.

Ed also wanted to offer his sincere thanks and gratitude to MVHS (Oneida Street location) Nurse Practitioner Julie and nurse Deb, who both went above and beyond all expectations. The family cannot thank them enough for all of the care and compassion they showed Ed. They were always available no matter how busy they were.  And to nurse Lori in Hospice, who was very kind to him during that time.

During his final days, he told his family, "People live, people die.  I'm 76 years old now.  I had a good life. I ate at some of the finest restaurants, drank fine wine, and enjoyed my bourbon.  Everyone dies eventually, so it is my time."  Then he adds, but all things considered, I'd rather be young.

Ed is survived by his wife Joanna (Locash) Keeler, his daughter Erica (Keeler) Island, his son Edward III (Valeri) Keeler, cherished granddaughter Madelyn Raspante, his sister Rowene Bessey, sister Susan (Frederick) Pugliese,  sister-in-law Vicky Brue & Sue Piersma, nieces Laurie Barkauskas, Lynn Murray, Amy Galiulo, Angie Pugliese and several great nieces and nephews. Also, the mother of his children, Chris Bialek and his best man and long-time friend Patrick Hajdasz.    He was predeceased by his father Edward R. Keeler,  Mother Phyllis Humphrey and brother-in-law John Bessey.

·       Right now, I can see him at the counter reading the newspapers on his laptop.  Drinking a cup of coffee and eating a muffin and thinking to himself, "that's tasty" and saying, "I like my muffins."

·       I see him taking long walks, going to the gym, and in the basement lifting weights.

·       I see him on the golf course with his friends on a nice summer day.

·       I see him sitting in his recliner, "talking" to the  news on T.V., saying "those sons of bitches…."

·       I can hear him hardily laugh over some comment he made to Maddy at dinner with his family.

·        I see his face so lovingly looking at his children and grand child.

·       I see us jumping in his car and see his family being jerked around because of his abrupt driving skills.

·       I see him enjoying a good dinner with his family and friends.

·       Then I see him sitting down to read a book on the recliner with his animals by his side.

·       Then I see his reading is interrupted when he receives a call from his cherished granddaughter Maddy.

His granddaughter said I'm 99.9 percent sure Papa is in heaven.

No services are planned at this time per Ed's wishes.

Any donations can be made to the Animal Humane Society.

Arrangements are under the guidance of John L Matt Funeral Home, Chadwicks, NY .To send an online message of sympathy go to: www.johnlmattfuneralhome.com