Carl Henry Kaufman, age 97, of Dunkirk died Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at home. He was born February 4, 1919, the second son of the late Karl and Mary A. (Knoll).
Following graduation with the Dunkirk High School Class of 1937, Carl worked for Dunkirk Light, Heat and Power prior to his enlistment in the Army Air Corps on May 11, 1942 at Buffalo, NY. He served in the 13th Air Force, 14th Airdrome Squadron, as an airplane armorer and from June 13, 1943 to December 5, 1945 in the Asiatic Pacific Theater.
Once home, he married his high school sweetheart, Alene A. Beers, on March 8, 1947, and then began a 33-year career with the Fred Koch Brewery, retiring in 1981.
In addition to his parents, "Sonny" was predeceased by his wife in 2002; a great-grandson, Travis Dean Graff in 2012; three brothers, Jack C., William G. and Donald A. Kaufman; one sister, Marie A. (Michael) Yochym; and a niece, Nan K. Kaufman. He is survived by seven children, Jo Ann Kaufman, Carol Brown, Janis (David) Karpinske, John (Mindy) Kaufman, all of Dunkirk, Karen (Andrew) Graff of Sheridan, Kay (Michael) Robinson of Canandaigua and Linda (late John) Eslinger of California; grandchildren, Kevin (Kelley) and Scott (Jeanne) Robinson, Debra (Steven) Keyser, Joseph (Amy) Graff, Samantha and Aimee Kaufman, John W. and Veronica Eslinger, Katie Parsons, and Allison Brown; 14 great- grandchildren, including Charlie, Elise, Garrison and Jayden, who met their great-grandfather; and several nieces and nephews, including Cynthia and Barbara Yochym.
He was active in St. John's United Church of Christ for many years, serving as council president twice, during construction of the parsonage and again during the addition project. He was a life member of American Legion Post 62 in Dunkirk.
He enjoyed long rides around Point Gratiot and heartily approved of the new lake wall at Wright Park beach. He could spend hours watching the gulls and even last summer could be found walking back and forth in front of the garden for exercise. He enjoyed the U.S. Open between visits and phone calls on Father's Day and who could ask for more quality of life than that?
Memorial services will be held Saturday, July 23 at 2:30 p.m. in the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home. Pastor Zoe Milliman will officiate. Military Honors will be accorded by the Dunkirk Joint Veterans Council. Calling hours will be held Saturday, July 23 from 1:00-2:30 p.m., one and a half hours prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of one's choice.
Obituary from the Observer
