Edward C. Virkler

Edward C. Virkler

Edward C. Virkler

ALTAMONT — Edward C. Virkler, a long-time resident of Altamont, died peacefully on Wednesday, Nov. 30, in Amsterdam at the age of 80.

Mr. Virkler was born in Utica, New York on July 26, 1942, a son of the late Joseph A. Virkler and Mary Elizabeth McSweeney Virkler. He graduated from New Hartford High School, and from the State University of New York at Delhi with a degree in construction.

He and his wife moved to Schenectady soon after, and then eventually settled in Altamont where he started his own general contracting company, Surface Systems Inc., and where the Virklers raised their family for 50 years.

“He was a long-time member of St. Lucy’s St. Bernadette’s Church, and donated a lot of time, talent, and treasure to every construction project undertaken by the church over the last 40 years,” he family wrote in a tribute. “He also devoted a lot of time to cheering for and transporting his son Dylan and his teammates to endless baseball and basketball games.”

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Edward C. Virkler is survived by his wife, Sherrill Lorraine Virkler, and by his children, Pierrette Maureen Virkler, Bernadette Kathleen Virkler, Sari Ruth Virkler, and Dylan Joseph Virkler.

He is also survived by his siblings, Maureen A. Netzband and her husband, Edward; Hon. William M. Virkler and his wife, Suzanne; Robert B. Virkler and his wife, Denise; and Donald J. Virkler.

He is survived, too, by his cousins, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren, “all too numerous to list, but all of them so loved,” his family wrote.

His parents, Joseph A. Virkler and Mary Elizabeth McSweeney Virkler, died before him, as did his sister-in-law, Carol Frangetta Virkler, and an adored cousin, Bernadette Green.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at St. Lucy’s/St Bernadette’s Church in Altamont. Family and friends are invited to visit with family from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday Dec. 6, in the Fredendall Funeral Home at 199 Main Street in Altamont. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery in Altamont.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Disability Services Foundation Inc., 314 South Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208.

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