Obituary of Brigadier General William F. McIntosh

Brigadier General William F. McIntosh,  Ret. US Army,  86, of Niskayuna passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday August 30, 2022 at his home. He was born on Oct. 10, 1935 in Manhattan and was the son of the late Francis and Mildred Emms McIntosh.   General McIntosh began his military service as a Private in the Artillery in 1953, and his full-time career in 1958. He quickly rose through the enlisted ranks attaining the rank of SFC E7 in seven years. After completing Officer Candidate School he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, Field Artillery in 1961. He served in increasing positions of responsibility from Forward Observer to Battalion Executive Officer. In 1978 he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and assigned a Deputy Director Military Personnel and Administration, State Area Command. In 1981 he was promoted to Colonel and assigned as Director Military Personnel, New York Army National Guard and subsequently as Director of Intelligence. On 15 May, 1987, he was appointed as The Adjutant General/Chief of Staff of the New York Army National Guard, and in 1987, the added position of Superintendent, Empire State Military Academy.

General McIntosh served two tours of active duty, in 1970 and 1983, and was placed on the Retired List of the United States Army on 10 October, 1995. Thereafter he held the position of Chief of Operations, New York State Emergency Management Office, where he was responsible for directing and coordinating the state’s response to natural and manmade disasters and emergencies throughout New York.

Brigadier General McIntosh held a Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York at Albany. He was a graduate of the Field Artillery Basic and Advanced Course, the Air Observer Course, the Adjutant General Military Personnel Officer and Advance Course, the Command and General Staff College and The National Defense University. He also completed numerous courses and exercises in Emergency and Risk Management at the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

He was a member of the Military Officers Association of America, The Association of the United States Army, The American Legion, The Disabled American Veterans, and the Field Artillery Association. His military awards include the LOM, MSM, ARCOM, AAM, the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Air Observer Badge, and numerous state awards, including the Conspicuous Service Medal.

In retirement, General McIntosh enjoyed researching family genealogy, watching baseball, volunteering for The United Way, and spending time with family.

General McIntosh is survived by his wife of 64 years, Miriam Blanche McIntosh; his daughter Donna Fredericks (George) of Malta, New York; his son William McIntosh (Alison Scott) of Williamsburg, Virginia; his daughter Larissa Wilson (Dawn) of New York; and seven grandchildren: Sarah Berghela (Carmine), Timothy Fredericks (Maureen), Hannah McIntosh, Miles McIntosh, Adam Wilson, Jr., Lisa Wilson, and Amanda Wilson. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Marilyn Greer, many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and good friends.

Calling hours will be from 11-1 pm Thursday Sept. 8, 2022 in the Gordon C. Emerick Funeral Home, 1550 Rt. 9 Clifton Park, New York 12065.

Funeral service will be at 1:00 pm in the funeral home with interment and full military honors in the Gerald BH Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville.