Mr. Joseph Ephriam Pedlar, Sr.

Joseph Ephriam Pedlar, Sr., 92, of Albany, departed this life peacefully on July 14, 2023.  Joseph was born on November 21, 1930, in Harlem, NY, to Henry Robert Pedlar and Roslyn (Coombs). Joseph’s parents immigrated to the U.S. from Jamaica in the 1920s. Joseph was the first American-born Pedlar and a proud New Yorker. Baptized as a child in Harlem, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. In his latter years, he joined Macedonia Baptist Church in Albany. 

A voracious reader of poetry and history, Joseph attended NYC public schools. After serving briefly in the National Guard, Joseph married the love of his life, Yvonne, in 1952. Together they raised their seven children, while also devotedly caring for their aging parents. Joseph had a lifelong love of knowledge. He loved to tell vibrant stories about his childhood in Harlem, ranging from tales of mischief to reminiscences about Harlem’s deep historical roots. Joseph worked for 40 years as a Skycap at Kennedy International Airport in the International Arrivals Building, where he relished interacting with travelers from across the globe. He regaled in telling stories about meeting luminaries such as Judy Garland, Tony Bennett, Marilyn Monroe, Gene Kelly, Queen Elizabeth II, The Beatles, and Muhammed Ali.

Joseph loved fishing, camping, and hunting, and the family spent many summers camping in the Adirondacks and fishing at Captree. Joseph was a gifted singer and artist, talents that he passed along to his children and grandchildren. He emphasized the importance of education to his children and grandchildren. Joseph devoured political news and relished a good debate. Upon retirement, Joseph and Yvonne moved to Albany, NY. In his later years, despite his own declining health, he was a daily and loving caregiver to Yvonne, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He was a daily visitor to her nursing home and a familiar presence to staff and residents, singing in the hallways. He now joins his beloved Yvonne and their son, Joseph.

Joseph’s family extends heartfelt thanks to the Macedonia family for their unending kindness, support, and love, and to the staff at Schenectady Center for their care.

Joseph was the beloved husband of 65 years to the late Yvonne (Rochester); devoted father to Theresa, Roslyn (Michael), late Joseph, Jr. (Linda), Sheila (Ernest), Elaine, Robert (Kristina), and Matthew (Maritza). Doting grandfather to Yvonne, Christina, Gabriel, Nija, Michaela, Emily, Maritza (Darnell), Malaika, Imani, and Amber. Proud great-grandfather of Gaia. Loving uncle to Denise (Mapp), Moses, and Sarah Sampson.

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