Obituary of Edward John Binder

Edward J. Binder, age 94 of Athol, NY, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2026 after bravely dealing with multiple illnesses.

Ed was born in Chicago, IL to the late John (Jack) and Olga (Kouba) Binder.  He graduated from Warrensburg High School in 1950 as salutatorian.  It was here that he met the love of his life although he had not yet realized it.  From March 1951 to March 1955 Ed was in the Navy and was honorably discharged with draftsman 2/c rating.  He was a graduate of the U.S. Navy Class A Draftsman school at Port Huemene, CA in June 1952.  He was assigned to shipboard duty on board the U.S.S. Mt Olympus AGC-8.  Ed was proud to call himself a veteran and was active in the American Legion in Warrensburg.

Ed then went on to attend Concordia Jr. College in Bronxville, NY, graduating with an A.A.S. in Engineering in 1957.  Ed finally realized what Kathryn Burch knew years earlier: they were meant to be together.  They married on July 13, 1957 at the Methodist Episcopal Church in Warrensburg.  He then continued his education at the University of Illinois and graduated with a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering in 1959.

He and Kathy, moved to Sacramento, CA where Ed worked for Aerojet General Corporation at the Solid Rocket Plant from 1959 to 1962.  He was assigned to the Air Force sponsored 100” diameter solid rocket motor feasibility demonstration project.  It was here that their first child, Laura, was born and his life as a father began.  The next step in his career moved him back to the east coast to work for various divisions of the United Technology Corporation: Hamilton Standard in Windsor Locks, CT, Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, CT, Turbo Power and Marine in Farmington, CT, Otis Elevator in West Springfield, MA, finally ending his career at International Fuel Cells in South Windsor, CT.  Throughout his career he traveled to Europe, Guatemala, the mines of South Africa and the oil rigs in the North Atlantic. During this time in CT, his three remaining children, Janet, Kristine, and David were born.  Life with a family of six was always busy but Ed provided a loving, stable home for his family.  He loved working in his workshop, drafting his next DIY project, going for drives with the family, getting ice cream and parking outside the airport listening to the air traffic controllers on his radio, and piling his family into the car to explore the country on summer vacations.  He retired after 30 years and moved to Kathy’s family home in Athol, where he became the Town Assessor for many years.  Ed also was a volunteer for the Meals on Wheels program in town as well as an active member of the Senior Citizens club.

Ed was a man of logic.  He loved debating religion and politics with anyone who stood still long enough.  He was also a man of faith, raised in the Lutheran church, he later explored various denominations but always knew we are created with purpose by a loving God and lived his life accordingly.  His steadfastness and love of family have been passed onto his children.  He was very proud of the artistic and musical talents, academic success, vocations, helpfulness and general people his grandchildren are.

Ed is predeceased by his son Thomas Binder, his parents, John (Jack) and Olga Binder, sister Jackie Granger, brother Ronald Binder.

Ed is survived by his loving wife of nearly 69 years, Kathryn (Burch), four loving children: Laura (Bret) Turner of Standish, ME, Janet (Richard) Cousineau of Athol, NY, Kristine (Tim) Burchfield of Glens Falls, NY and David (Lisa) Binder of Athol, NY, grandchildren: Daniel Murray, Michael Murray (Maddy Newton), Kaitlyn Cousineau (Josh Klebieko), Cameron Cousineau, Erin (Sam) Thomas, Ryan Burchfield, Jack Binder, Madison Binder (Evan Laubach), James Binder, Jayden Binder, and great-grand daughter Kaja Klebieko.

Ed will be laid to rest with military honors in the spring in the Warrensburg Cemetery on Hudson Street in Warrensburg, NY.

Family and friends are welcome to join in a celebration of life service to be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at the Christ Disciples of Warrensburg church, 3890 Main St., Warrensburg, NY beginning at 12:00p.  Luncheon will be served following service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, www.t2t.org.

Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guest book and condolences.