Saratoga Springs - Jeffrey A. Wise, 62, died Sunday, January 17, 2016, at Saratoga Hospital following a brief illness.

Born October 1, 1953, in Glens Falls, NY, Jeff was the son of the late Jane (Stanley) Wise and the Reverend A. King Wise, the longest-serving pastor of the 20th century at the First Baptist Church of Glens Falls. A member of the Glens Falls High School class of 1971, Jeff graduated in 1975 from SUNY Potsdam with a degree in philosophy. He began a career in journalism, serving as sports editor and then city editor at The Post-Star in Glens Falls. From there he moved to The Daily Gazette, working first in the paper's Saratoga Bureau and then as city editor in Schenectady. In 1984 Jeff enrolled in Albany Law School, and in 1987 earned a J.D. degree, continuing at the Gazette during school breaks.

He transitioned from journalism to public policy, and spent the next 25 years in Albany, where he advocated for the homeless and people with special physical and mental-health needs. Jeff was an attorney with the New York State Law Revision Commission, a senior policy analyst at Coalition for the Homeless, and president and chief executive officer of the New York State Rehabilitation Association. In 2013 Jeff was nominated by Governor Andrew Cuomo to be the inaugural executive director of the New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs, where he was "a dedicated, exemplary public servant," according to a statement by the governor. Many Justice Center employees acknowledged that his leadership made their office an exceptional place to work.

An avid follower of all sports, Jeff was a lifelong fan of the Boston Red Sox and the Buffalo Bills. He loved racing season at Saratoga Race Course and watching ice hockey in Glens Falls, and also enjoyed the golf course at Saratoga Spa State Park. His musical interests ranged from classical to rock and roll, and he especially enjoyed Lou Reed, the Who, the Moody Blues, and Mark Knopfler.

Jeff's parents and older brother, Gregory A. Wise, predeceased him. Survivors include daughters Rebecca Wise Melli of Fort Edward, NY, and Abigail L. Wise of Washington, DC; sister Gretchen Wise Moore of Glens Falls, NY, sister-in-law Penelope Wise of Erie, PA; nieces Melissa Moore (Bruce) Frank of Glens Falls, Vanessa Moore (Jerry) Hathaway of Melbourne, FL, and Samantha Wise (Michael) Baker of Gansevoort, NY; nephews Ryan (Kristen) Wise of South Glens Falls, NY, and Christopher Wise of New York City; five great-nephews, four great-nieces, and very dear friend Shelly Nortz of Albany, NY.

Relatives and friends are invited to call from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday, January 22, at William J. Burke and Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes (628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY) with a prayer service and sharing of memories at 4pm. Burial will be private. A reception for friends and family will follow from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Murray-Aikins Dining Hall (second floor) on the campus of Skidmore College.

Memorial contributions may be made to Old Friends at Cabin Creek, a retirement center for Thoroughbred racehorses located in Greenfield Center, http://www.oldfriendsatcabincreek.com/donations

Jeff's life was enriched by his love of family—especially his daughters, in whom he took great pride, and by his work on behalf of those at the margins of society. Those who knew and loved him appreciated his quick wit, his keen analytical ability, his zest for politics, and his skill at forging strong personal and professional alliances.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.