Kenneth “Skip” Gens

Ken leaves behind his beloved wife, Kathy of 49 years; and his daughters: Anedda (Don) Trautman and Amme (Robert) Carson; and his grand-daughters: Alayna (Austin Strong) and Grace.

Ken was born on March 29, 1950, in Gowanda, son of the late Kenneth and Ruth Gens.

Ken was raised in South Dayton, with his siblings, surviving are Sharon (George) Crumb and Glenn (Margaret) Gens of Florida, Randy (Patti) Gens of California, Wendy (Pat) Hale of Alaska, Sue Gens of Texas and Steven Gens of Dayton, preceded in death by Gary, Cindy and Scott Gens.

His family was his life, his “girls”, his sons-in-law, the dogs, his brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Everywhere he went he seemed to know someone and if he didn’t he made new friends.

Pop enjoyed nothing more than watching his granddaughters grow. From figure skating to softball, dance, cheer and everything in between there wasn’t an event he wasn’t at, he was their No.1 fan. Skip enjoyed spending his winters in Florida at Olde Mill Stream, where he and Kathy have been for over 10 years. He could be found feeding the dogs, playing cards and going out for dinner.

Skip enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1967 at the age of 17 and served in Vietnam. He served as a SEABEE in the U.S. Navy, before retiring from the Army after 20 years of military service. Skip loved his country and was one of the most patriotic people you have ever met. He could always be found at the Veteran’s services.

Skip, an electrician, retired after 35 years of service from New York State where he worked at the Gowanda Psychiatric Center and Department of Corrections. He spent his retirement driving truck for Gernatt’s, Walkers, AT&A Trucking and Emerling.

Skip’s pride and joy was his Christmas Tree Farm. He owned and operated Over the Hill Tree Farm since first planting trees in 1993. Skip spent endless hours in the field puttering around on the gator and tractor usually with a farm dog by his side. He looked forward to the holiday season to see all the families who would come to find the perfect tree. He was a member of the Western New York Christmas Tree Growers Association and always represented at the fair.

Skip was a lifetime member of over 50 years of the South Dayton American Legion Post 1593 where he served as past commander. He was also a lifetime member of the Cherry Creek Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2522, AMVETS Post 1992 Mount Dora and Phoenix Lodge Free and Accepted Masons.

Friends may call at the Mentley Funeral Home Inc. 105 E. Main St., in Gowanda, N.Y., on Sunday July 10, 2022 from 3-7 p.m.

Funeral Services and military honors will be held on Monday, July 11, 2022, at 11a.m. from the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Gowanda Ambulance Service or the Dayton Volunteer Fire Department.