Kurt F Bessel Sr.

OSWEGO – Kurt F Bessel Sr., age 91, of Palermo, New York, passed away peacefully at Oswego Hospital on Sunday evening, May 4^th as a result of complications stemming from a fall in the home he shared with his wife of 68 years, Marcia, on Good Friday.

Kurt was a first generation American born to parents Kurt Robert and Mary Amelia Bessel in Ellenville, New York in 1934. Together with his sisters Hildegarde (Hughes) and Mary Anne (Klaiber), he grew up on a small farm in Chautauqua County, New York and graduated from Sherman Central School in Sherman New York in 1952. He served in the United States Army from 1956-1958, living in Virginia following marriage to Marcia in December of 1956.

After discharge from the Army, Kurt and Marcia moved back to Sherman where Kurt worked in farm management for Dick and Jessie Warnshuis of Sherman NY.  In 1962, with three kids in tow, Kurt and Marcia left the farming industry and moved to Alfred NY where Kurt enrolled in the Agricultural Engineering program at Alfred State College. Along with an education, Kurt and Marcia added many life-long friends to their circle and twin boys to their family while in Alfred. Newly-degreed Kurt went to work for Allis Chalmers following college, moving his young family first to Baldwinsville and then Avon before finally settling in to what would become a lifelong home in Palermo, New York.

The family thrived in Palermo, making many friends that became like extended family. Kurt joined Palermo Fire and Rescue and was honored at this year’s banquet for 50 years of service to the community as a volunteer in the department. His dedication to that organization inspired his son Kurt Jr., granddaughter Kerri and grandson Kurt WR to all actively participate in the volunteer fire departments of their respective communities.

Professionally, Kurt left the agricultural implements business to join the plant maintenance team at Packaging Corporation of America in Liverpool, where he worked until he retired.  Retirement didn’t last long however, and he joined the ranks of self-employed briefly as a maintenance and production consultant before joining the staff at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse.

When work-life came to a close, Kurt returned to his love of all things agricultural, service to his community and his very active family. Following the restoration of a 1938 John Deere B orchard tractor owned by his father-in-law, Kurt became very active in the Central New York Two-Cylinder Club and the Central New York Antique Tractor Club Inc. He enjoyed attending monthly meetings, holding offices and actively participating in the planning and execution of tractor shows, plow days and the bi-annual Expo sponsored by the CNY Two-Cylinder Club in Canandaigua NY.  He added to his antique tractor stable and shared membership in these clubs with sons Kurt Jr. and Brian, along with grandson Logan. Marcia routinely joined him at club outings, and all of the great-grandkids loved going for rides on Great-grandpa’s old tractors.  He shared his restored tractors with the community, even traveling to his alma mater’s annual Sherman Days celebration to drive his restored John Deeres in the parade.

Kurt was preceded in death by son Kurt Jr., his parents Kurt Robert and Mary Amelia, and in-laws Harold L. and Doris O. Smith.  He is survived by loving wife Marcia, daughters Wendy (Greg) Kozlowski and Shelley (Ahmet Veletanlic); sons Bruce (Allison) and Brian (Cindy); grandchildren Kerri (Rick) Warner, Andrea (Marc) Skilinski, Kurt William Robert (Nicole) Bessel and their mother Pamela; grandchildren Brandon (Arlene) Kozlowski, Shana (Billy) Craycraft; Reece and Logan (Kaysie) Bessel and Megan Bessel. His blessings included 11 great grandchildren – Tyler, Lucas, Garrett, Madeline, Bohen, Cassidy, Skye, Gabriele, Charlee Ann, Edwin and Alexis. His many friends included Herman Socie, with whom he shared many interests and countless other ‘chosen’ kids, grandkids and great-grandkids from the community that contributed to his 91 well-lived years.

Services are being held at Nelson Funeral Home, 11 W Albany Street in Oswego NY, Friday, May 9^th with calling hours from 11 am to 1 pm with the service immediately following. Burial is at the New Haven Cemetery.

The family would like to acknowledge the compassionate care provided by Oswego Health, including those at Seneca Hill and Oswego Hospital. The consideration of the doctors, the emergency room and fourth floor nursing staff as well as hospital support staff brought comfort to the family during this difficult time.

Contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to Palermo Fire and Rescue of Palermo New York or the Kurt F. Bessel Jr. Memorial Scholarship at Mexico Academy and Central School in Mexico New York.  Arrangements are under the caring guidance of Nelson Funeral Home.