Edward J. Zuchorski, Jr.

Edward J. Zuchorski Jr., 82, of Van Deusen Drive, died Friday October 21, 2022 in the comfort of his home with loved ones by his side.

Born January 26, 1940, in Islip, NY he was the son of the late Edward J. Zuchorski Sr. and Dorothy (Bennett) Zuchorski.

Ed was raised on the family farm in Nesconset (Long Island), NY. He developed his lifelong love for plants and horticulture from his father and grandfather.

After graduating from Smithtown High School he attended Morrisville Ag & Tech before serving in the U.S. Army. Ed served as a Military Policy Officer in Germany and after honorable discharge went on to receive his Bachelor of Science Degree in Plant Science from Cornell University. He would later receive his Master’s in Education from SUNY Albany. Ed began his professional career with Cornell Cooperative Extension in Tompkins and Chemung Counties in New York’s southern tier.
Ed met the love of his life Mary K. (Mackesey) on a blind date at the New York State Fair and they were married in 1970. He joined the faculty in the Plant Science Department at SUNY Cobleskill in 1978 teaching courses in floriculture and ornamental horticulture until his retirement in 2005. Involved in the campus community, he served for a period as chair of the Plant Science Department, advisor to student government, and chairman of the facilities and space committee for the college, among other activities. He enjoyed advising students, loved teaching labs where he could get his hands dirty, and felt strongly about the practical agriculture education provided at New York State’s Ag and Tech colleges.
Although a native of Long Island Ed was enamored by the village of Cobleskill and the surrounding valley which he considered one of the most beautiful places he had ever seen. Community service was a high priority for Ed, having been particularly touched by the generous outpouring of support his family received during his son Brien’s long illness, he felt strongly it was important to give back. A devout Catholic he was a communicant at St. Vincent de Paul Church where Ed was a long-time member of the parish council and finance committee. He was president of the parish council during the construction and dedication of the current church in 1990. Ed was also one of the original members of the Cobleskill-Richmondville Board of Education after the two districts merged in 1993. He served as president of the school board during the construction and dedication of the high school in 1998 and was on the board for 14 years. Ed was also a longtime member of the Cobleskill Rotary Club serving as president and a Paul Harris Fellow. Among his many passions was his love for his alma mater Cornell University and the New York Yankees.
In addition to his parents, Ed was predeceased by his sons Brien, Todd Patrick, and James. He is also predeceased by his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Nan and Paul Hoy with whom he had a close relationship he cherished greatly.

Ed is survived by his loving wife Mary K. and his sons Scott (Carrie) of Harrison, NY and Kevin (Nadine) of West Hartford, CT. He is also survived by his five grandchildren Maxwell, Benjamin, Alexandra, Savannah, and Brayden along with his niece Colleen Garcia (Atlanta, GA) and nephew Daniel Hoy (Arlington, VA).

Family and friends are invited to celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, October 29th at 10:30AM at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Cobleskill with Father Joseph Arockiasamy officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, October 28th from 4:00-6:00PM at Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm Street, Cobleskill, NY.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Cobleskill-Richmondville Education Foundation.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm Street, Cobleskill, NY.