Kenneth R. Button

Button, Kenneth R. BRUNSWICK Kenneth R. "Ken" Button, 92, a lifelong resident of Brunswick, died peacefully with his loving family by his side, Friday, April 7, 2017, at the Eddy Heritage House Nursing Center in Troy following a long illness. Born in Troy, October 25, 1924, Ken was the son of the late Harlow and Marion (Baird) Button and for over 67 years the devoted husband of Mary E. (Joy) Button of Brunswick who survives. Ken and Mary were married October 3, 1948. After attending Troy High School, Ken worked for a time as a machine apprentice before joining the service. On March 12, 1943, he was inducted into the United States Army. He proudly served during World War II, helping to liberate France, Germany, Austria, Italy and Africa with the 2756 Combat Engineers Battalion. He earned the rank of Private First Class and was awarded the Marksman Ribbon for excellence with a .30 caliber rifle. At the time of his honorable discharge in December 1945, he was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and four Campaign Stars. Upon returning to Brunswick, Ken worked for Howe Brothers Incorporated from 1946-1950 as a truck driver and delivered 4x4 snow-fighters manufactured in a Brunswick facility throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States. From 1950 through 1981 he was employed at the Watervliet Arsenal as a machinist and worked his way up the ladder to quality control inspector at the time of his retirement. More recently, he was employed for an additional 10 years as a laborer and truck driver by the Town of Brunswick Highway Department, retiring a second time in 1991. Ken was a lifelong member of Gilead Lutheran Church, and an early member of the Center Brunswick Vol. Fire Company, the White Church Couples Club and the Brunswick Historical Society. He enjoyed cooking for his family and friends, collecting old license plates, mowing his lawn, gardening, a good car ride, reminiscing with friends and drawing and sharing his artwork. Mr. Button is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Regina Button of Brunswick; two daughters and a son-in-law, Susan and Michael Kardash of Stillwater and Ann Button of Troy; a grandson, Jake (Marissa Kavoukian) Kardash of Troy; a great-grandaughter, McKenna Kardash of Troy; a brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Carol Button of Westminster, Calif.; dear friends, Allan and Betty Kreiger and special sisters-in-law, Noreen Carroll, Rose Kaschak and Helen Joy, who gave so much of their love and support; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, the late Helen Trzcinski, formerly of Brunswick. A funeral service for Ken will be held on Tuesday, April 11, 2017, at 10 a.m. at the Howard B. Tate & Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 NY-7, located in Raymertown. Burial will follow in Eagle Mills Cemetery in Brunswick. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the funeral home on Monday, April 10, from 4-7 p.m. Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to either the Staff Appreciation Fund, c/o Eddy Heritage House Nursing Center, 2920 Tibbits Ave., Troy, NY 12180, or to the Gilead Lutheran Church General Fund, P.O. Box 26, Cropseyville, NY 12052.