LOWVILLE, NY ~ Bernard L. Kirch, 82, of the Number Four Rd., Lowville, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 20, 2016, in the emergency room of Lewis County General Hospital, Lowville, where he was taken after being stricken at home.
He was born on January 3, 1934 in Dexter, the son of Lawrence and Lenore (Hilts) Kirch. A lifelong resident of the area, he attended the one room school house in Belfort.
On June 28, 1958 he married Carol Lortie. After a brief time in Dexter, they settled in Watertown and started their loving family of five children.
Bernard worked in numerous jobs, and eventually began an approximate 40-year career in the paper industry, retiring from the Brownville Specialty Paper Company in 1996.
As a gifted wood worker and craftsman, Bernard especially took pride in the construction of the log cabin that he personally built as their home after he retired in 1996. He also loved to hunt and fish and enjoyed the outdoors. Bernard thoroughly enjoyed his extended family and always welcomed people to his home.
Surviving in addition to his loving wife, Carol, of 57+ years, are his five children, Leonard (Maria) Kirch of Vallejo, CA, Karen (James Jr.) Clagett of Valdosta, GA, Terrie (William) Massaro of Baldwinsville, NY, Jerry (Kathleen) Kirch of Rutland, NY, and Susan Kirch and companion Neal Corey of Copenhagen, NY; eight grandchildren (Branden, Cassandra, James III, Ashten, Gretchen, Tyler, Lawrence, & Marina); seven brothers and sisters, Mary Jane Becraft of Chaumont, Dewey (Betty) Kirch of Carthage, Doris Reed of Chaumont, Beverly (James) Robbins, Barbara (Ron) Smith, Claude (Judy) Kirch, and David (Marlene) Kirch, all of Dexter, NY, and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death was his grandson, Daniel Massaro, and a brother, Wilbert Kirch.
Calling hours will be held Sunday, April 24, 2016, from 2-5:00 PM at the Scanlon Funeral Home, 9791 Main Street, Croghan, NY, 13327.
A Graveside Service will be held on Monday, April 25, 2016, at 11:00 AM in Fairview Cemetery in Rodman, NY, (just off NY State Route 177).
In lieu of flowers and in his memory, contributions may be made to The Lowville Food Pantry, 7646 Forest Ave., Lowville, NY, 13367, or your local Fire/Rescue or Ambulance organization.
To view Bernard’s online obituary or leave a message of sympathy for his family, please visit www.scanlonfuneral.com .
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