Bernard S. Kampnich

CASTORLAND, NY ~ Bernard S. Kampnich, 83, of 8794 Cut-Off Rd., Castorland, formerly of Rt. 812, Croghan, died Thursday, December 22, 2011, at the Lewis County Residential Health Care Facility, Lowville, where he had been a patient since December 16th.

Born on September 19, 1928, in Croghan, NY, a son of Laurence C. and Flora Campany Kampnich, he was educated in the District 9 School in Gooville and later at Fr. Leo Memorial School in Croghan.

A Korean Conflict veteran, Mr. Kampnich enlisted in the US Air Force on December 28, 1950, and on January 3, 1951, entered and received his Basic Training at Lackland Air Base, and also attended Aeronautical & Engineering School at Perrin Air Base, both in Texas. His overseas service included 9 months in Japan and 8 months in Korea. In 1953, he returned to Perrin AFB in Texas where he became a Crew Chief for T33 and F84 Fighter jets, and from where he was honorably discharged as a Sergeant on December 10, 1954.

Following his military service, he became a member of the I.B.E.W. Local 1249 Union, working primarily as a tractor trailer driver transporting supplies and equipment to various contractors during the construction of large scale power projects throughout New York state including the Nine Mile II nuclear power plant at Oswego. As an expert electrician, he also had worked for Lambert Electric in Croghan for a number of years.

Mr. Kampnich was a communicant of St. Stephen’s Church, Croghan, and was a 55 year member of IBEW Local 1249. He was also a member of the Lowville VFW, Beaver River Memorial Post 1663 American Legion in Croghan, Massaweepie, Silver Mine and Pepper Box hunting clubs, Long Pond Snow Sled Club, Harrisville Rod & Gun Club, and Antique Automobile Club of America.

A talented Jack and Master of many trades, he was extremely skilled in being able to create and fabricate any metal or wooden parts for just about anything, and was always very meticulous with everything that he made. In addition to “inventing”, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, spending time with his family and many friends, and especially doing anything with his 1915 Brass Model T or the Model A’s of his historic car collector friends.

Surviving are three brothers, Herbert J. Kampnich, Harrisville, Louis H. Kampnich, Castorland, Donald J. Kampnich, Croghan; a sister, Maryann C. Mooney, Castorland, and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brother John L. Kampnich, who died in 1995.

His funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, December 31st, at 11:00 a.m. from St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, Croghan, with the Rev. Daniel L. Chapin, Pastor, officiating. Burial with military honors will be in St. Stephen’s Cemetery, Croghan.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday morning (prior to the funeral Mass) from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. at the Scanlon Funeral Home, Croghan.

Memorial donations may be made to the ambulance fund of either the Beaver Falls or Croghan Volunteer Fire Departments.

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