Obituary of Kenneth W. Moss

Kenneth Walter Moss, age 95 of the Town of Cambria, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, May 3, 2015 in the Eastern Niagara Hospital in Lockport after a lengthy illness. Ken was born February 24, 1920 on his family's farm in the Town of Lewiston, the youngest of seven children of the late Walter and Mae (Campbell) Moss. He was a 1937 graduate of Wilson High School and was the first in his family to attend college. Ken earned an Associate's Degree in Dairy Management from Alfred, NY Agricultural and Technical School, now called SUNY Alfred College of Technology in 1941. A WW II Veteran, Ken enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942 and was called to active duty in 1943. He served his country with distinction in the European Theatre of Operations, as a 1st Lt. piloting a B-17 for the 486th Bombardment Group of the 8th Air Force. Ken flew 13 combat missions over Germany, as Squadron Commander, from his base in Sudbury, England and was the recipient of the Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster. Shortly before going overseas he married Helen E. Fraser on November 24, 1943 in a military ceremony with six other couples at Maxwell Field in Montgomery, Alabama . Upon his discharge and returning home to Niagara County Ken worked as a Health Inspector for the City of Niagara Falls, then as Manager of the Finger Lakes Honey Producers Cooperative. He returned to Niagara Falls as Manager of the Niagara County Milk Producers Cooperative. Ken later was the Director of Solid Waste for Niagara County, managing 2 landfills, one in North Tonawanda and one in Lockport. He retired in 1988. Ken was a member of the Barker, NY Community Band, the 8th Air Force Historical Society, and the North Ridge United Methodist Church. After his retirement he continued to be active by renovating and adding to his family's home which they have owned since 1952. He is survived by his wife, Helen; two sons, Robert (Sharon) Moss of Strongsville, OH and Lawrence Moss of Troy, NY; and two granddaughters, Karen (Travis) Rutherford and Debra (Allan) Potter. He was predeceased by two sisters, Marie Peterson and Lola Pettitt; and four brothers, Alfred, Dwayne, Clarence, and Howard Moss. Friends may call at HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, 3648 Ransomville Road, Ransomville on Friday from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 PM. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, May 9, at 11:00 AM in the North Ridge United Methodist Church, 3930 North Ridge Rd. Town of Cambria, with the Rev. Matthew Worley officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow in North Ridge Cemetery, Church Rd. Town of Cambria. Memorials may be made to North Ridge United Methodist Church, 3930 North Ridge Rd., Lockport, NY 14094 or to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675.