Portageville - Kenneth Thomas Irwin of 11659 County Road 27
died Wednesday, January 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 December 1950
to September of 1952 with the 51st Signal Battalion. During his service he
obtained the rank of Staff Sergeant and served as his company's 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 Quarterhorse Club
serving as the director and past president, a past president of the Empire
State Quarterhorse 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 the Dee Victor Thomas post 1155 of
the American Legion and Allegany County Commander of the American Legion from
1996 to 1997 and a life member of the VFW Post # 2721 of Cuba. President of the
Fillmore Rotary Club in 1997 and a former treasurer. 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, Barbara (Ben) Greene of East Koy, six grandchildren, seven
great-grandchildren, his siblings, Mildred White of Morrisville, Richard
(Patricia) Stott of Norwich, 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, William and two sisters, Jane
and Shirley.A private graveside service with Military Honors provided by
the 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.Memorials if desired to: Allegany County Hospice or the
Wiscoy-Rossburg Fire Company.
