Obituary of Paul E. Kennerknecht

Mr. Paul E. Kennerknecht, 88, passed away peacefully Sunday, September 07, 2014 in the Mohawk Valley Health Center. Born in Brooklyn, NY on October 31, 1925 to Ambrose and Jesse Kennerknecht. He was a graduate of the Van Hornesville Central School class of 1944. He was a dairy farmer until a fire changed his livelihood. After the fire he was hired as part of a crew that constructed the NYS Thruway in the Mohawk Valley. He was employed as a crane operator and worked for several construction companies in the Utica area finishing up his career with RigAll Inc. until retirement. He was a member of the International Operators Engineers Union 545 Syracuse, NY for 60 years. He took pleasure looking at all the buildings that he had worked on over the years. In his retirement years he enjoyed cutting fire wood and milling lumber for the fine furniture that he made for the family. Mr. Kennerknecht is predeceased by a son, Gary Kennerknecht of Central Valley, New York, sisters Frances Welden and, brothers Bruce, Dave and Ralph Kennerknecht. Paul is survived by his wife, Mae Rose whom he married January 18, 1947 for 67 years, daughter, Pat (Wayne) McClure of Palmyra, NY and son Paul M. (Marilyn) Kennerknecht, Starkville, NY, grandchildren Erin (Matt) Lavery, Kim (James) Brenchley, Tracy McClure, Megan Kennerknecht, Thea Kennerknecht and Avery Kennerknecht, and sister Jean Aney. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 10, 2014 at 6:00pm at The Chapel of Gray-Houghtaling & Smith Funeral Home, 34 Center Street, Fort Plain, NY 13339. The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday from 4:00-6:00pm at the funeral home. Burial will take place in Fort Plain Cemetery at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 260 Osborne Road, Loudonville, NY 12211 or to the American Heart Association, Founders Affiliate, PO Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005.