Irving J. Kraeger

Constableville- Irving J. Kraeger, 88, husband of Josephine (Jo), lifelong resident of Constableville and the longest standing member of the Lewis County Board of Legislators, passed away on Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at SUNY Upstate Medical University following a brief illness. Irv was born on the Kraeger homestead farm October 24, 1925, a son of Anthony and Cecelia Duppert Kraeger. He graduated with the Constableville High School Class of 1944. While in high school Irv was a member of the baseball team, a sport in which he excelled. Irv then went on to further his education, when he attended SUNY Cortland in the Athletic Education and Coaching Program. Irv then returned home to assist his father in the operation of the family farm. On October 23, 1948, Irv was united in marriage with Josephine Benedict at St. Mary's Church, Glenfield. Following their marriage they resided in the family farmhouse until 1956 when they built their present home on the farm. In 1948, Irv took over the operation of the family dairy farm, as well as the maple syrup production. Irv will be forever remembered for the service he has given to the communities of Lewis County. He began his political career on January 1, 1952 as the Representative for the Town of West Turin on the Lewis County Board of Supervisors. This position he held for 48 consecutive years; never missing a regular Board Meeting. The Board eventually transitioned into what we now know as the Lewis County Board of Legislators. Irv's community service did not stop there; he was a founding member of the Lewis County Hospital Foundation Board of Directors, a member of the Town of West Turin Zoning Board, Member of the Lewis County Fair Board since 1986, named Director Emeritus in 2001; a longtime member of the Constableville Alumni Association, a Member of the South Lewis Lyons Club for more than 60 years, a member of the Lewis County Farm Bureau, receiving their Senior Farmer Award in 2008; Member of the Northern NY Maple Producers and Lewis County Maple Producers. Irv volunteered for the Constableville Fire Dept. for over 61 years, serving as president and treasurer at various times. In September 2008, Irv was named Tug Hill Sage, an honor bestowed upon him by the NYS Tug Hill Commission. Irv also received in 2008, a Certificate of Distinction in honor of his 55 years of public service to the people of Lewis County. Irv very much enjoyed hunting and fishing and being outdoors. If you couldn't find him in his garden or pumpkin patch, he was probably watching NY Yankee Baseball. Irv's family was by far the most important aspect of his life, and he found great joy in watching his grandchildren's athletic events. Irv was of the Catholic faith, and was a life time member of St. Mary's Church, Constableville. Besides his wife Josephine, Irv is survived by his children: Elaine (John) Favor, Huntington Beach, CA, Ann (Terry) Dorrity, New Hartford, Jean (Al) Kwiatkowski, Rotterdam Junction, NY, Katherine (John) McDonald, Lyons Falls, Susan (Neil) Pepper, Brantingham, Joyce (Larry) Pleskach, Brantingham, David (Catherine Berry) Kraeger, Mary (Rick) Failing, of Constableville, Sally (Mike) Black, Turin, Michael (Lisa Patterson) Kraeger, Thomas (Rhonda Farr) Kraeger, Robert (Julie Fey) Kraeger, all of Constableville, Amy (Darrin) Tissot, Breezy Point, NY, and Anthony (Carrie Houppert) Kraeger, Constableville. Also surviving are 29 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, one sister, Ruth Margot, Boonville, one sister-in-law, Renee Kraeger New Hartford, several nieces, nephews and cousins. Irv was predeceased by his parents, five sisters: Eva Keohane, Eleanor Grems, Agnes Kelly, Edna Sattler and Katherine Kraeger, three brothers: Aubrey, Harland and Robert, and two grandchildren, Desirae Failing and Andrew Kraeger. His Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, September 26, 2014 at 11:00 am at St. Mary's Church, Constableville, where Rev. Lawrence Marullo, Pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Constableville. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday from 6-9 pm and Thursday from 3-8 pm at the Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Constableville Volunteer Fire Dept. P.O. Box #438, Constableville, NY 13325 or to St. Mary's Church, North Main St. Constableville, NY 13325. Irv's family would like to thank Dr. Elwin Stillman, Joyce Gillette, Karen LeVan, Cherene Lisowski, and the Constableville Fireman's Ambulance crew for the compassionate and loving care given to Irv.