Edward G. Elze

GUILDERLAND Edward G. Ed Elze, age 80, of Guilderland, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 17, 2006 at Community Hospice at Memorial Hospital. Born in Albany, Ed was the son of the late George and Irene Conlin Elze. Ed graduated from Albany High School and attended St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y. He was a Naval veteran of World War II, serving from 1943 to 1946, a crew member of the U.S.S. Slater, DE-766, from 1944 to 1946. The Slater is now a World War II Museum with Albany as its home port. Ed retired as a manager from N.Y. Telephone in 1985 after 38 years of service. For several years after retirement, he worked for the Guilderland Senior Services Department as a bus driver and dispatcher. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Agnes Young Elze; his children, Mary Beth (Bill) Gardner of Latham, N.Y., Diane E. Elze, PHd of Buffalo, N.Y., Edward G. Jr. (Lynette) of Olympia, Wash. and Carol Ann Elze-Sussdorff (Bill) of Diamond Point, N.Y. He is also survived by his loving grandchildren, Kim and Adrienne Gardner, Heather, Sarah, and Katie Elze and Luke W. Sussdorff; a sister, Catherine E. Tobin of Schenectady, N.Y.; a brother, Robert F. (Betty) Elze of Delmar, N.Y.; and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Dr. Frank Fera and the staff at Albany Memorial Hospital and Community Hospice for their excellent care and many kindnesses. In keeping with Ed's wishes there will be no visitation. A memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, April 29 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Madeleine Sophie Roman Catholic Church, 3500 Carman Rd., Schenectady. Inurnment will take place on Monday, March 20 at 12:30 p.m. at Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, N.Y. with full military honors. For those who wish to remember Ed in a special way, contributions may be sent to the Destroyer Escort Historical Museum, U.S.S. Slater, DE-766, P.O. Box 1926, Albany, NY 12201-1926 or to the Community Hospice of Rensselaer County at Albany Memorial Hospital, 295 Valley View Blvd., Rensselaer, NY 12144.