Earl Kage

Kage, Earl
Rochester: Died at home June 12 at 89 years. He was predeceased by his sister, Betty Jane Kage. He leaves his long time partner Hamilton Driggs and Kim Driggs, niece of Hamilton. He will be bereaved by Truc Luong, a young man he mentored over the years and the Luong family. His numerous friends will remember this vibrant gentleman and his signature white handlebar mustache. The Gang of 10, a group of close friends, (The Todds, Allens, Sterns, and others mentioned here) will miss his gregarious and ever upbeat personality.
Many thanks to his caretakers and Visiting Nurses Hospice for their empathetic care.
Earl was at Eastman Kodak from youth to his retirement, eventually becoming Head of Camera Research. He attended The University of Rochester. He served in the Army in World War II in England as a photographer for the Stars and Stripes newspaper. While stationed there he apprenticed himself to a well known horticulturist. Hence, his wide knowledge of flora.
His country home in the Bristol Hills was a source of joy and comfort for him and Hamilton and the friends who spent time there. It became a treasure of trees, ponds, and flowers. A Festival of Art every summer, (conceived by him, Hamilton, Carl Zollo, the Sculptor, and Tim Ferguson, old friends) engaged all in art making. The sale amongst the participants started a fund for purchasing prints for the Memorial Art Gallery in honor of Philly Parker, an artist friend who died at an early age.
He danced for Thelma Biracree who taught Ballet at Eastman Theater. Earl taught Ball Room dancing at The Harley School.
Earl Kage was instrumental in many of the Cultural Organizations in Rochester. As a teenager he went to the Memorial Art Gallery and was greeted by the two women who influenced him and legions of others. Gertrude Moore and her sister Isabel Herdle made him a life long afficionada of art. He has been a member of the Board of Trustees for many years and his influence there shall be missed. He started Artists in the Kitchen at the Clothesline at MAG, which provided further funds for print purchases.
His dedication to the Arts landed him on Boards of the Friends of Eastman Opera, Garth Fagan Dance, Rochester City Ballet, The Aesthetic Education Institute, Friends of School of the Arts and affiliations with the George Eastman House of International Photography, Rochester Children's Theater and the RPO. He has served as a Judge for many Art related shows over the years. Earl was awarded one of the first Arts for Greater Rochester (Arts and Cultural Council) Outstanding Individuals in the Community.
His devoted friend Nancy Buckett shall miss him and all the adventures they have shared.
Contributions may be made in his honor to Memorial Art Gallery of the U of Rochester, RPO, George Eastman House of International Photography, Friends of Eastman Opera, or Garth Fagan Dance Co. Prayers are being said by the Monks at Mepkin Abbey, S. Carolina, courtesy of dear friend Peggy Savlov. Memorial Service in the Fall at Memorial Art Gallery. Date announced later.