Edmond C. Pelkey

Edmond Carney Pelkey, 72, of  Black River, passed November 17, 2017 after struggling with cancer for the past six months.  He passed at his home where he was under the care of his family and Hospice of Jefferson County.

Calling hours will be 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, November 20 at the Bruce Funeral Home 131 Maple St., Black River.

A Funeral Mass will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 21 at St. Rita’s of Carcia Catholic Church in DeFeriet with Rev. Robert Decker, Pastor officiating.  The family will also receive friends 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Tuesday at the church.

Burial with Military Honors will follow in Black River Cemetery.

He was born on January 1, 1945, in Watertown, son of Francis G. (Hank) and Sarah A. (Sally) Carney Pelkey.  He was raised in Black River and graduated from Carthage High School in 1964.  After working a short time at St. Regis Paper Co. in DeFeriet, he was drafted to serve in the Army Airborne Infantry in Vietnam, where he earned a Purple Heart.  He then was stationed in Germany, where he was a member of an Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit.  In 1970, he left active duty service and began training in data processing, which prepared him for a long career in computer programming.  He worked in NYC for CBS Television, Sterling Winthrop Pharmaceutical and Computer Horizon Corporation.  During that period, he completed a Bachelor of Professional Studies/Business Degree from Pace University, and concurrently served in the Army Reserves from 1972 to 1993.

In 2001 , Ed was deployed with the NY Guard to serve as a supply sergeant in response to 9-11 attack at the World Trade Center.  He then pursued a different career path at the United States Military Academy, West Point, from which he retired in 2006.  In 2007 he returned to the Watertown area, and built a home near Black River.

His first marriage to Lena Otterbeck ended in her death in 1978.  He later married Mona Fisher, who survives. He is also survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Mikael (Dawn) Pelkey, Black River; stepson and his wife, James M. (Daria) Fisher, White Plains, NY; stepdaughter, Libby Fisher, Fort Montgomery, NY; stepson, Christopher A. Fisher, Beacon, NY; stepdaughter and her husband, Katherine(Casey) Wardynski, Cape Canaveral, FL, five grandchildren, Brynn and Bryce Marks, Colin and Peter Fisher, Jack Wardynski and one on the way.  His brother and sister-in-law, Frank and Carol, Bowie, MD; several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, November 20 at the Bruce Funeral Home 131 Maple St., Black River.

A Funeral Mass will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 21 at the St. Rita’s of Cascia Catholic Church in DeFeriet with Rev. Robert Decker Pastor officiating.  The family will also receive friends at the church from 10 until 11 am. 

Burial with Military Honors will follow in Black River Cemetery.

Donations may be made to Hospice of Jefferson County 1398 Gotham St., Watertown, NY 13601.

Online condolences may be at www.brucefh.com

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