ALBANY – Frederick E. Bayless, 77, of Greenwood, passed away Wednesday, March 22.

He was born in Trenton, N.J. on June 26, 1928, the son of the late Thomas and Frances Wyckoff Bayless. He married Eleanor Case on Oct. 16, 1948.

He owned and operated Heating Distributors Inc., a successful small family business. He developed and maintained a local distribution channel for many major brands of HVAC related products in New Jersey. He cooperated with trade organizations to increase product awareness and regulation.

He belonged to the NHAW (Heating and Air-Conditioning Wholesalers Association) and the Mercer County Regional Fuel Oil Dealers Associations, as well as serving on the board of directors for both.

He and his wife, Eleanor Case Bayless had lived in Greenwood for the past 10 years. He was a member of the Locke Mills Union Church and the Norway Country Club. He loved golf and had many friends at the country club.

He is survived by his wife of Greenwood; two daughters, Patricia Robson and her husband, Jack and Linda Vecere and her husband, Robert; a son, Robert J. Bayless and his wife, Lynn; five grandchildren, Jeffrey Henley, Nicole Henley Graham, Jonathan Bayless, Tyler Vecere and Ryan Vecere; three great-grandchildren, Jason Dempsey, Sean Graham and Bruce Graham; and two brothers, Thomas Bayless and William Bayless.

He was predeceased by a son, Frederick J. Bayless.