Edward John Bertha, 80, a resident of Fishkill since 1975 and formerly of East Brunswick, NJ, died on Sunday, April 6, 2014 at St. Francis Hospital.
Born in the Bronx on December 7, 1933, he was the son of the late John and Marie Bertha. Ed graduated from Alfred University with his Bachelor's Degree in Ceramic Engineering. During his time at Alfred, he worked on the Alaskan Pipeline with the Corps of Engineers. After college, he proudly served our country in the US Army as a Captain in the Artillery. He was the former owner of Highland Plastics in Newburgh and had been employed as a National Sales Director in the plastics industry for 10 years before retiring at age 70. Ed was a "Man's Man" – he was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and saltwater fishing. He loved boating on the Hudson River and was an avid fan of the New York Yankees and New York Giants.
Ed was predeceased by his first wife, Patricia Rosendale, who died on September 17, 1975 and his second wife, Sandra Lutz, who died on May 1, 2013. He is survived by his daughters, Teresa Egitto and her husband Joseph of LaGrange, Suzanne Marsella and her husband Raymond of Pleasant Valley, and Christine Bertha of Fishkill; his grandchildren, Christopher and Alyssa Cuzzola, Victoria and Vincenzo Marsella; his sister, Marion Marks and her husband Larry; and his nieces, Patty and Linda.
Calling hours will be held on Wednesday from 5-8pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. The funeral service will be held on Thursday at 10am at the funeral home followed by interment in St. Joachim's Cemetery in Beacon with military honors.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. For driving directions, online condolences and memorial donations, please visit Edward's Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.