Kenneth Thomas Irwin

PORTAGEVILLE - Kenneth Thomas Irwin, of 11659 County Road 27, died Wednesday (Jan. 2, 2019) in his home.

He was born on April 11, 1929, in Sherburne, a son of the late William and Edith Lodge Irwin. On April 1, 1951, in Wiscoy, he married Norma Jeanne Mills, who survives.

He was a graduate of Norwich High School, Class of 1946.

Ken then served in the United States Army, during the Korean War, from Dec. 1950 to Sept. 1952, with the 51st Signal Battalion. During his service he obtained the rank of staff sergeant, and served as his companies first sergeant for 14 months before returning to the U.S.

Ken was employed in electrical construction, starting in 1946, until he retired in 1991, serving in all areas of New York State, Ohio and Illinois. His employment included work as a line foreman, from 1955 to 1959, then as a general foreman, and occasionally superintendent, from 1959 to 1991. During his entire 45 years, he was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and now stands as a 70-year member. He was also a former insurance agent and a former real estate agent.

Ken loved serving his community and belonged and served on many other organizations, which include Western New York Quarter Horse Club, serving as the director and past president; a past president of the Empire State Quarter Horse Association; member and treasurer of Wiscoy-Rossburg United Methodist Church; member of Oriona-Grove Masonic Lodge 229, since 1963; and Master of the Lodge several times, appointed district deputy grand master for the Allegany District, from 1975 to 1976; member of the Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Education, from 1976 to 1982; a 32nd-degree mason; and member of Corning Consistory.

He was a member, past patron and former treasurer of the Order of the Eastern Star; district grand lecturer of the Allegany District, in 1993; and grand patron of the Order of the Eastern Star state of New York, in 1997.

He was a life member of Dee Victor Thomas Post 1155 of the American Legion; Allegany County commander of the American Legion, from 1996 to 1997; a life member of the VFW Post 2721, of Cuba; president and former treasurer of the Fillmore Rotary Club, in 1997; a former member and treasurer of the Wiscoy-Rossburg Volunteer Fire Department; and former member of the Fillmore Central School board, for 15 years, serving as vice president for 10 of the 15 years.

Surviving in addition to his wife, are their daughters, Julie Frazier of Fillmore and Barbara (Ben) Greene of East Koy; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; his siblings, Mildred White of Morrisville, Richard (Patricia) Stott of Norwich and Beverley (Donald) Burrows of Florida; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a son, Robert Irwin; three brothers, Carroll, Raymond and William; and two sisters, Jane and Shirley.

A private graveside service with military honors, provided by Dee Victor Thomas Post 1155, of Fillmore, will be held in Alger Cemetery, Fillmore.

A private celebration of life will be held at the convenience of the family.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Kopler-Williams Funeral Home, 21 N. Genesee St., Fillmore.

Memorials if desired can be sent to Allegany County Hospice or the Wiscoy-Rossburg Fire Company.

Online condolences may be made at koplerwilliamsfuneralhome.com.