For years, many historians, municipal officials, and others have
been helped by Ed Hand from the NYS Cemetery Division in
Albany. Anyone who has been involved with cemeteries and
related operations have spoken to Ed. Towns came to the
understanding of the law about abandoned public cemeteries
and their responsibilty. Most who have been in discussion on
this list about cemeteries have spoken to Ed and because of
his help and suggestions, we have accomplished  everything
legally possible. Somehow many in the Capital District failed to
see his obituary and I wanted to pass this on for those who wish
to attend a memorial service on 06 Apr. He will be greatly missed.


Albany Times Union - Sunday, March 24, 2002

Hand, Edward Joseph STEPHENTOWN --

Edward Joseph Hand, 61, died unexpectedly, Tuesday, March 19,
2002.

Ed had a long and distinguished career in state government and
was a senior investigator for the Department of State at the time
of his death. He was the author of a nationally recognized guide
on crematory operation and received his master of public
administration in 1998.

Survivors include his wife of 22 years, Harriet Garrison Hand;
his daughter, Rosemary E. Hand-Decker of Henrietta, NY; and
five grandchildren, Nicholas Wagner, Naomi and Thomas John
Decker, Jessica and Adrienne Hand; and a brother, Matthew
(Frank) Hand of Boynton Beach, FL.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2002 at 2:00
p.m. at the McLoughlin & Mason Funeral Home at 109th St. and
3rd Ave. in Lansingburgh, NY. Cremation will occur at Oxford Hills
Crematory, Inc., Chester, NY.

In lieu of flowers, a fund for Ed's grandchildren has been
established and contributions may be sent to Howard J. Carr, in
care of the funeral home. Funeral arrangements are under the
direction of Thomas F. Flynn and Loretta M. Flynn, Directors of
Flynn Funeral & Cremation Memorial Centers, 139 Stage Road,
Monroe, NY 10950, (845) 783-1811.