William M. Barr

William M. Barr, 74, of Rotterdam passed away after a battle with pancreatic and liver cancer. Born in Schenectady in 1949, he was the son of the late Robert and Virginia Barr. 

Bill was a 1967 graduate of Mohonasen High School and a 1971 graduate of Springfield College. 

Bill was a Physical Education Teacher and Coach in the Troy School District from 1971 - 2008. Bill coached high school soccer in Troy for 27 years, serving as the Troy High School Boys Varsity Soccer coach and the Troy High School Girls Varsity Coach later in his career. In addition, he was an assistant coach for the Troy High School boys basketball program for many years, serving at the freshman, junior varsity and varsity assistant levels throughout his career. 

Bill had the great fortune of meeting Madeline Rudesheim in 1972. For him it was love at first sight and they were married on August 18, 1973. Together they raised three children in their Scotia home where they remained for nearly 32 years until Madeline's passing in 2005.

Bill was a dedicated family man. He volunteered in many youth organizations, including Scotia Glenville Little League and Babe Ruth Baseball Leagues, Highland Soccer, and Tartan Youth Basketball. He also volunteered Saturday Mornings at the Lincoln Elementary School in Scotia. 

With his children, he was active in the YMCA Indian Guide and Indian Princess Program for fathers and sons and fathers and daughters, and later served as Program Coordinator for 5 years. Bill and Madeline were volunteers at Proctor's Theater for many years. 

After Madeline's death, Bill met Pam Mortensen. They were married on October 8th, 2011, and soon after they retired and moved to Lake Luzerne, NY. Bill joined the Hadley-Luzerne Lion's club where he was awarded the Robert J. Uplinger service award. Health concerns forced a return to Schenectady in 2017 where Pam remains today. 

In addition to his parents, Robert and Virginia Barr, Bill was predeceased by his wife Madeline (Rudesheim) Barr, and brother Robert J. Barr, Jr. 

Bill is survived by his loving wife Pamela, daughter Stacey Marie (Kevan) Gale of Norwood, MA, son Brett (Jessie) Barr of Cobleskill, NY, daughter Kelly Lynn (Patrick) McNiff, of East Greenwich, RI, son-in-law Mark Mortensen (Meghan) of Glenville, NY, son-in-law Erik (Kristina) Mortensen of Ballston Spa, NY, sister Patricia (Curt) Alheim of Ballston Lake, NY, brother Timonthy Barr of Saratoga, NY, nephew Matt (Kristen) Alheim of Clifton Park, NY, niece Katie (Brett) Marting of Glendale, CA, Uncle Gerald (Betty) Smith of Bloomington, IN., and several cousins and grand nephews and nieces. 

Bill (Papa/Poppie) is survived by 15 beautiful grandchildren, Samantha, Natalie and Lucian Gale, Elijah, Ashtyn and Harper Barr, Marin and Cavan McNiff, Tyler, Gavin and Ella Mortensen, and Noah, Micah, Luca and Victoria Mortensen. 

Bill is also survived by dear friends Lou and Jean Inzinna and the best friend anyone could ever have, Paul Minick. 

Friends and family are invited to attend a Memorial Visitation on Thursday, August 15, 2024 from 9:00 am - 11:00 am with a Memorial Service to begin at 11:00 am at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie NY 12205.

In lieu of flowers, donations made be made to Tunnel to Towers, P.O. Box 70719, Philadelphia, PA 19176-0719 or to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, P.O. Box 5035, Boone, IA 50950-0035