Edward J. Backes

November 11, 1934 - May 19, 2022

On Thursday, May 19th, 2022, Edward J. Backes, loving husband and father of two children passed away at the age of 87 in his home in Dania Beach, Florida after a short illness. Edward was born in Binghamton, NY in 1934 to Mary Ida (McCormick) and Edward N. Backes. As a child he believed his relatives when they told him the annual Armistice Day parade was for his birthday. He soon got smarter, graduated valedictorian from St. Paul's High School and continued on to receive degrees from both LeMoyne College and Syracuse University. On August 17th, 1964, he married Clara O'Mara and raised two sons, Joseph and Edward in Albany, NY. He spent over 30 years in government service mostly with the Division of Budget of the State of New York. Edward had a passion for opera and classical music and took an interest in photography, painting and poetry after retiring in 1994. His travels took him to Honolulu, San Diego, San Francisco, Italy, France, Belgium, The Netherlands and to Galway, Dublin and Ballyvaughan. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Mary Therese, and wife, Clara. He is survived by sons Joseph, Edward and his wife, Dana. The family will hold a memorial service on Friday, June 24th at 11:00 a.m. at the Daniel Keenan Funeral Home, Inc., 490 Delaware Ave., Albany, NY followed by inurnment in Calvary Cemetery, Glenmont. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Opera America or the charity of your choice in Edward J. Backes' name.