Johnstown Fourth Ward Councilman Edwin Queeney dies

PHOTOGRAPHER: Kyle Adams

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Fourth Ward Councilman Edwin L. Queeney III died Friday after a long battle with an unspecified illness. He was 48.

According to his obituary, Queeney died peacefully at Ellis Hospital, surrounded by family.

“He was a wonderful councilman,” Second Ward Councilwoman Kathi Iannotti said Tuesday.”He really took the job to heart and went above and beyond.”

Even though his illness caused him to miss some meetings, Mayor Michael Julius said Queeney was “a conscientious person” and called regularly to stay informed about council business.

“He called me every week,” Julius said. “I can envision his voice in my head, calling me up, ‘What’s up mayor, anything new?’ He always wanted to stay abreast of what was happening in the city.”

Queeney began his four-year term in January 2014.

According to his biography on the city’s website and his obituary, Queeney was a Mayfield native who graduated from Fulton-Montgomery Community College in 1987 and later moved to Johnstown. He served with the Johnstown Police Department for eight years, including work as a D.A.R.E. instructor.

Queeney went on to own and operate Ace Vending in Johnstown and owned and managed several rental properties across the city. He was an active member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Johnstown, where he taught religious education.

“I’m just very saddened and very sorry for his passing and I really will miss working with him, and he will be sorely missed on the council,” said Third Ward Councilwoman Helen Martin. “He was a brave man and he took his council job very seriously. We’re going to miss him a lot.”

Queeney’s seat on the council can be filled by council appointment or remain empty. In either case, the seat will be open in next year’s election, according to the Fulton County Board of Elections. If the position is filled by appointment, that person will have to run for the seat next year and again in 2017 when the term expires.

Martin said Tuesday it’s too early to discuss filling the seat.

A funeral was planned for today at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Johnstown at 11 a.m. Calling hours were held Tuesday.

“Ed’s a good guy, and your heart goes out to his family,” said Councilman-At-Large Christopher Swatt. “He’s in a better place and he’s not suffering anymore. It’s hardest on the people he left behind.”