Kenneth Dreis Obituary
Richfield Springs - Kenneth C. Dreis, aged 96 of Monticello Street passed away peacefully on April 26, 2025 surrounded by his family.
Ken was born in Albany, the son of the late Charles and Johanna (Phillips) Dreis and graduated from Roessleville High School in Colonie. He was married to his wife Shirley (Kleetsch) and shared a loving relationship for 74 years before her passing on January 16, 2024.
Ken began his career journey working for the NY Central Railroad and after several years, he moved to General Electric where he worked in the research lab. In 1958, Ken joined Suburban Propane where he spent the majority of his professional life holding various sales and leadership positions throughout NY and New England. In 1970, he was transferred to Richfield Springs where he managed the district and established Suburban Cablevision, bringing cable TV to Richfield for the first time. He retired from Suburban in 1991 after 34 years.
Over his 54 years in Richfield, Ken developed a deep love and commitment to the people of Richfield Springs. Ken was very active in the community as a member of the Rotary Club where he served two terms as president and was a Paul Harris Fellow. Ken was president of the Lakeview Cemetery board for over a decade, a member of the St. Joseph's RC Church, a Little League baseball coach, delivered Meals on Wheels, and was a founding member of the RSCS Band Booster Club where he also paraded with the band for many years.
In addition to his involvement in local groups, Ken was also very active in various organizations throughout the area including 10 years as a board member for Herkimer BOCES Dollars for Scholars, a member of the Board of Directors for the Executive Service Corps of Otsego-Delaware, Inc. at Hartwick College, a photographer for The Portrait Place in Albany and a member of the Professional Photographers Society of NY. Of his many activities however, he was most passionate about the Richfield Springs Food Bank where he served as the Coordinator for over 20 years. Ken was recognized many times over the years for his exceptional level of volunteering including the Jim Neuschel Memorial Award for Community Service and twice by NY State Senator James Seward, including Volunteer of the Year. His core belief was that we all have an obligation to help our neighbors and by helping individuals, we will strengthen our community.
Ken loved sharing his talents by helping others but his greatest joy was spending time with his family, all of whom will miss him tremendously. He is survived by a daughter Nancy (Greg) Fuller of Truxton, a son David (Sheryl) of Cicero, three grandchildren Andrew (Amanda) Dreis, Timothy (Natalie) Dreis, Kristen (Nick) Cinquanti, and six great-grandchildren, Landon, Mathias, Ryder, Henry, Barrett and Wyatt.
In addition to his wife and parents, Ken was preceded in death by his brothers Larry and William and his sister Louise.
A memorial service for Mr. Dreis will take place on June 21at the Church of Christ Uniting on Church Street in Richfield Springs at 11 a.m..
The family would like to offer special thanks to Ken's extended family of care givers - Cheryl Phillips, MaryBeth Wahl, Debbie Hazelton, Mariah Conover, Diane Butts, Kelly Richmond, and Becky Bulger. The dedication, attention, kindness and overall exceptional care shown by these ladies, allowed him to remain in the family home through his final years. Their loving support will always remain in our hearts.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made with donations to the Richfield Springs Food Bank or the Church of Christ Uniting. Envelopes will be available at the church.
To send a flower arrangement in memory of Kenneth C. Dreis, please click here to visit our sympathy store.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Kenneth C. Dreis, please click here to visit our sympathy store.
Published by WKTV from Jul. 26 to Jul. 30, 2025.