Charles S. Pedersen

Charles S. Pedersen, 89, of Lindsay St., Amsterdam, passed away Sunday January 18, 2015 at the E.L. Wilkinson Residential Health Care Facility following a brief illness. Born in Brooklyn, NY on July 19, 1925 a son of the late Carl and Thalette Pedersen. He was a World War II Veteran serving in the U.S. Navy. Mr. Pedersen was a graduate of Pace College School of Marketing, Advertising and Selling in New York City in 1948. Charlie began his career with the Bigelow Sanford Carpet Co. in Thompsonville, Ct. and later transferred to Bigelow Sanford in Amsterdam. Following their departure in 1955, he began a long career with Fiberglass Industries and retired as Executive Vice President of FGI. He was President of Advanced Textiles, Inc. and was a consultant to FRP Services & Co., a textile firm in White Plains. He was very involved in the community and was a member of the Amsterdam Lodge # 84 Free & Accepted Masons. Charles was also a member of the Oriental Shriners and was elected Potentate (in 1980) of Shriners Council #122, Troy New York and was a member of Board of Governors of Shriners Hospitals for Crippled Children, Springfield, MA Unit. He was a Board Member (Emeritus) of the Montgomery County Office for Aging and was on the Executive Counsel. He served on the Board of Directors of Amsterdam Savings Bank and its successor, Mohawk Community Bank. He served on the Board of Trustees of Amsterdam Memorial Hospital for many years, holding various offices. He was on the Board of Industries for Amsterdam and was a 32nd degree Mason F&AM 84. Mr. Pedersen was a dedicated member of St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Amsterdam for over 50 years. He was President of the Church Council and served in various other leadership roles. He enjoyed the outdoors, skiing and boating. He married to the love of his life Betty Johansen Pedersen on April 6, 1947. She passed away on December 27, 2009. Survivors include a sister, June Gordon of Rockaway, NJ. Funeral services will be held on Thursday January 22, 2015 at 11:00A.M. at St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 24 Pine St. Amsterdam with the Rev. Dr. John Califano presiding. Interment will be held in the spring in Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Ashland, NY. A calling hour will be held on Thursday prior to the funeral service at St. Luke's Church from 10:00 to 11:00A.M. Full military honors we be held following the service at the church. His care has been entrusted to the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 24 Pine St. Amsterdam, NY 12010.