Edward Hamlin

Edward Joseph Hamlin, 78, passed away in the company of his daughter, Valerie, on the early morning of October 6, 2026, in Fort Edward, New York.

Born to Edward G. and Mary Lou Evans Hamlin, Ed grew up in Rensselaer, New York. Over the course of his life, he lived in several interesting places, including Glens Falls, Schenectady, Niagara Falls, Queensbury, and Schodack Landing, New York, as well as Huntsville, Alabama. He was fond of saying, "Home is where you hang your hat."

Ed was a graduate of Rensselaer High School and Hudson Valley Community College. He loved his country and served in the Army National Guard during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Ed worked as a salesman, a long-haul trucker, and a school bus driver over the course of his career. He was a man with a curious mind and an easygoing nature, known for his kind heart and his ability to carry on a conversation about nearly any subject.

Sports were an integral part of Eddie's life. He was a devoted fan of the New York Giants and New York Mets and particularly enjoyed the American Hockey League, for which he proudly refereed pre-season and exhibition games in the 1980s. He was a section-H season ticket holder for the Adirondack Red Wings during their years in Glens Falls.

Ed was deeply involved in youth sports and his community. From 1979 to 1988, he coached and refereed with the Adirondack Youth Hockey Association and played a central role in orchestrating the building of the Fire Road rink. His favorite nickname was "The Big Whistle," which he was affectionately called. He also coached Valerie's softball teams in her elementary and middle school years, ran local road races (his favorite was the Rupert 10K Old Home Day Road Race because they served a full chicken BBQ meal after running through the hills of Vermont) and played recreational men's softball for the Post Office team. Through these activities, he touched the lives of many young athletes and became a familiar and valued presence in the local sports community.

Ed loved spending time at Schroon Lake, where he enjoyed the simple pleasures of being outdoors; hunting in Rensselaer County with his father, brother, and their beagles; and the Saratoga Race Track/Harness Track, where he would gather with his cousins each year in the summer. His favorite holiday was Thanksgiving because it was the most heralded immediate and extended family holiday and nothing was more important to Eddie than celebrating with family. He was a voracious reader, especially when it came to crime and mystery novels. He had a particular fondness for pizza and, more recently, Stewart's milkshakes. Bourbon was his drink of choice until multiple health issues later in life caused him to give it up. He faced those health challenges with the same tenacity that carried him through many challenges throughout his life, including three different kinds of cancer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Mary Lou Hamlin; his sister, Maureen Palombo; his adored wife, Linda "Lindy Lou" Hamlin; and his good friends John Felts and Joe Rymski.

He is survived by his daughter, Valerie Bucci, and her husband, Bill Bucci; his brother, Louis Hamlin, and sister-in-law, Eileen Hamlin; his brother-in-law, Monte Palombo; his sister-in-law, Agatha “Lolly” Pike, and her son, his first-born nephew, Christopher Radcliffe; and his first wife and Valerie's mother, Sharlee Rodd.

He is also survived by his stepchildren, Salli Perkins, Meghan Glasz, and John Glasz; numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; his nieces and nephews, Christian, Stacey, Nicholas, Joseph, Lucas and Brenna, and their spouses; and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Ed leaves behind countless cousins, including David and Albert Fiacco, with whom he shared lifelong, heartfelt bonds, and Tony Leonardi, who was especially supportive throughout Ed's most recent illness.

Edward will be remembered for his kindness, his relaxed and welcoming spirit, his love of sports, his willingness to do anything he could for those he loved, his hearty laugh, and for being "one of the good guys."

He leaves behind a large extended family and many friends whose lives were made richer by knowing him.

A visitation will be held on Saturday November 14th from 11am-1pm, with a brief service taking place at 1pm. 

Burial will be private.