ALTAMONT — Earl A. MacIntosh III was an active boy and a hard-working young man who helped his many friends without thinking of himself. He died on Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022. He was 31.

“Earl will be remembered for his strong work ethic, his love of time working on the family Christmas tree farm, and his generosity for helping others,” his family wrote in a tribute. “He will be missed by all who knew him.”

Born on Jan. 1, 1991 in Albany, Mr. MacIntosh was raised in Guilderland, attending Lynnwood Elementary School and Farnsworth Middle School before graduating from Guilderland High School.

“He grew up in the country, spending a lot of time on my father’s Christmas tree farm,” said his father, Earl A. MacIntosh Jr. As a boy, he liked fishing and riding a dirt bike, his father said, adding, “He was always a good student in school.”

Mr. MacIntosh went to the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill where he studied landscape architecture. Afterward, he went to work at Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory where he worked with toxic-waste removal and repairing big machines like cranes.

“He spent a lot of time working,” said his father. “That was just his personality. He’d work from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. This time of year, he’d be plowing snow at night. That’s just the way he was, from growing up on a farm.”

Mr. MacIntosh’s lifelong dream, his father said, was to revitalize and renew the family’s Christmas tree farm.

“He was very warm-hearted and generous and would do anything for anyone and not expect anything in return,” said his father. “His mom and I, over the last few days, have learned how many friends he had, hundreds of friends … He always cared about everybody. I can’t tell you anyone he didn’t like.” 

His father went on, through tears, “His mom and I and his sister, Victoria, will miss him very much … God had a plan whether we agree with it or not … I enjoyed the 31 years we did have. I wish we had 31 more.”

Mr. MacIntosh’s constant companion was his border collie, Zen. “They were inseparable,” said his father. “I couldn’t tell you which one was happier to see the other when they’d been apart. That dog meant everything to him,” he said.

The dog is staying now with Mr. MacIntosh’s mother. “He’s waiting for Earl to come home,” said his father.

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Earl A. MacIntosh III is survived by his parents, Earl A. MacIntosh Jr. and Mary A. (née Eacy) MacIntosh; his sister, Victoria M. MacIntosh; his paternal grandmother, Anne MacIntosh; his maternal grandmother, Patricia Eacy; his love, Taylor Miller; his beloved canine companion, Zen; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends.

His paternal grandfather, Earl A. MacIntosh, died before him, as did his maternal grandfather, Charles S. Eacy Sr.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Monday, March 7, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Applebee Funeral Home at 403 Kenwood Avenue in Delmar. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 8, at 10 a.m. at St. Matthew and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at 1500 Western Ave. in Albany. Burial will follow in Bethlehem Cemetery in Delmar.

Memorial messages may be left below.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Arbor Day Foundation, 211 N. 12th St., Lincoln, NE 68508 or to one’s favorite pet organization.

— Melissa Hale-Spencer