Alan D. Cederstrom ’49

QUEENSBURY — Alan D. Cederstrom, 86, of Queensbury, passed away Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, at Glens Falls Hospital, after a long illness.

Born July 16, 1928, in Stoneham, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late Hjalmar and Levon (Payson) Cederstrom.

Al graduated from Maine Maritime Academy in 1949 and served as an engineering officer in the Navy aboard the aircraft carrier Wright and the destroyer Shannon in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. As a lieutenant J.G., he was the chief engineer on the Shannon (although later in life he questioned the Navy’s wisdom in making such a young kid the chief engineer of a ship).

He mustered out of the Navy in 1952 and earned his teaching degree at the University of Maine at Orono. He taught for a short time in Maine, then came to Glens Falls High School in 1957, where he taught biology, math and photography. He retired in 1983.

Al married Harriet Riley in 1950 in South Newburgh, Maine. They celebrated their 64th anniversary this November.

Al was known for his sense of humor and love of life. He became a noted photographer, and at various times in his life enjoyed hiking, family camping trips, fishing, hunting and family vacations to Boothbay Harbor in Maine. Boothbay is where he attended high school.

He served 10 years as manager of the Skye Farm Methodist children’s camp on Sherman Pond in the 1960s, and remained an active volunteer at the camp while his health allowed.

Al was very involved with Christ Church United Methodist in Glens Falls, and with the Methodist Troy Conference.

Besides his parents, Al was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Phil Riley (Harriet’s brother).

Al is survived by his wife, Harriet of Queensbury; daughters, Beth and Martha and her husband, Dane Larsen, of California; son, David of Queensbury; granddaughter, Sophia Larsen of California; sister, Anne Cederstrom Granger and her husband, Peter Granger, of New Jersey; brother, Carl and his wife, Verna, of Missouri; brother, Paul and his wife, Sharon, of Queensbury; and sister-in-law, Marjorie Hawkins Riley (Phil’s wife).

Al will be buried Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015, at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Saratoga. A short ceremony is set for 2 p.m.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, at Christ Church United Methodist in Glens Falls, followed by a reception.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Class of 1949 Scholarship Fund at the Maine Maritime Academy, P.O. Box 219, Castine, ME 04421; or to Christ Church United Methodist, 54 Bay St., Glens Falls, NY 12801.

Arrangements are under the direction of Singleton Sullivan Potter Funeral Home, 407 Bay Road, Queensbury.

Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting sbfuneralhome.com.