Obituary for Charles A. McKane, II
CHARLES (CHAS) A. McKANE January 14, 1925 - November 1, 2011 Middletown, NY Charles (Chas) A. McKane, a native son of Middletown, NY and an active member of the community his whole life, died following a short illness at Orange Regional Medical Center on Monday, November 1, 2011. He was 86. The son of the late Charles and Jane Bodine McKane, he was born on January 14, 1925 in Middletown. Dad always loved Middletown and though he had opportunities throughout his life to move elsewhere, he never ventured far from all his family, neighbors and friends.
Dad was a graduate of the Middletown High Class of 1944. He received his diploma through a special correspondence course set up with the U.S. Army after his induction in the Fall of 1943. He was a veteran of World War II, in the Pacific Theater with the 41st Infantry Division, seeing combat action in the New Guinea Campaign up through the liberation of the Philippines. It was there that he became attached to the First Calvary Division and he was one of the first U.S. Army soldiers to enter mainland Japan after their surrender as a member of the U.S. Army of Occupation in August, 1945.
After the War, Dad worked for short stints with Orange & Rockland Utilities and Sweeny’s Beer Trucking & Delivery. He then used his GI Bill funds to become the first McKane to earn a college degree upon his graduation from the University of Connecticut in 1952.
Dad worked for 40 years as an Insurance Underwriter with Marsh McLennon Inc. in New York City. He commuted by train from downtown Middletown to New York City roundtrip everyday of those 40 years, long before commuting from Orange County became in vogue. Dad was an active member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish throughout his whole life, serving in every capacity from Alter Boy in the Prewar years to Usher and Boy Scout Troop #61 Committee Chairman when his children were in school. Dad was also a 40 year volunteer member of the McQuoid Fire Company of Middletown and enjoyed being a McQuoid very much and doing everything from fighting fires in his early tenure to marching every year in the annual Middletown fire department parade.
Dad was married for over 53 years to the love of his life, Anna, who predeceased him in March 2010. Dad is survived by his three loving children and their spouses: his son, Charles McKane III and his wife, Patricia of Warwick, NY, his daughter, Bridgid Garrison and her husband, Robert of Westport, CT, and his son, Ret. Lt. Col. Timothy M. McKane and his wife, Peggy of Levenworth, KS. He is also survived by his loving sister, Margaret Barone and her son, Dad’s nephew and Godson, Steven Barone, both of Middletown. In addition, Dad is survived by beloved in-laws Sister Jean Marie Lortie of Minnesota and Dr. Paul and Marjorie Lortie of Florida. And finally, "Grampy" is survived by his seven grandchildren, of which he was very proud of and adored immensely: Daniel McKane of Warwick, Eileen McKane Watson of Kansas, Kelsey, Morgan and Haley Garrison of Westport, CT and Kate and Joseph McKane of Levenworth, KS. Dad also has cousins along with several nieces and nephews scattered throughout the U.S. and Canada. He is also predeceased by his brother-in law, Frank Barone, formerly of Middletown.
Visitation hours are from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, November 6 at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc, 130 Highland Ave. Middletown.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 7 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 90 Euclid Ave, Middletown. Burial will follow in the family plot in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 149 Cottage St. Middletown.
Memorial Contributions in our Dad’s name may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project Attn: Donor Services, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256.
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Dad was a graduate of the Middletown High Class of 1944. He received his diploma through a special correspondence course set up with the U.S. Army after his induction in the Fall of 1943. He was a veteran of World War II, in the Pacific Theater with the 41st Infantry Division, seeing combat action in the New Guinea Campaign up through the liberation of the Philippines. It was there that he became attached to the First Calvary Division and he was one of the first U.S. Army soldiers to enter mainland Japan after their surrender as a member of the U.S. Army of Occupation in August, 1945.
After the War, Dad worked for short stints with Orange & Rockland Utilities and Sweeny’s Beer Trucking & Delivery. He then used his GI Bill funds to become the first McKane to earn a college degree upon his graduation from the University of Connecticut in 1952.
Dad worked for 40 years as an Insurance Underwriter with Marsh McLennon Inc. in New York City. He commuted by train from downtown Middletown to New York City roundtrip everyday of those 40 years, long before commuting from Orange County became in vogue. Dad was an active member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish throughout his whole life, serving in every capacity from Alter Boy in the Prewar years to Usher and Boy Scout Troop #61 Committee Chairman when his children were in school. Dad was also a 40 year volunteer member of the McQuoid Fire Company of Middletown and enjoyed being a McQuoid very much and doing everything from fighting fires in his early tenure to marching every year in the annual Middletown fire department parade.
Dad was married for over 53 years to the love of his life, Anna, who predeceased him in March 2010. Dad is survived by his three loving children and their spouses: his son, Charles McKane III and his wife, Patricia of Warwick, NY, his daughter, Bridgid Garrison and her husband, Robert of Westport, CT, and his son, Ret. Lt. Col. Timothy M. McKane and his wife, Peggy of Levenworth, KS. He is also survived by his loving sister, Margaret Barone and her son, Dad’s nephew and Godson, Steven Barone, both of Middletown. In addition, Dad is survived by beloved in-laws Sister Jean Marie Lortie of Minnesota and Dr. Paul and Marjorie Lortie of Florida. And finally, "Grampy" is survived by his seven grandchildren, of which he was very proud of and adored immensely: Daniel McKane of Warwick, Eileen McKane Watson of Kansas, Kelsey, Morgan and Haley Garrison of Westport, CT and Kate and Joseph McKane of Levenworth, KS. Dad also has cousins along with several nieces and nephews scattered throughout the U.S. and Canada. He is also predeceased by his brother-in law, Frank Barone, formerly of Middletown.
Visitation hours are from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, November 6 at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc, 130 Highland Ave. Middletown.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 7 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 90 Euclid Ave, Middletown. Burial will follow in the family plot in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 149 Cottage St. Middletown.
Memorial Contributions in our Dad’s name may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project Attn: Donor Services, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256.
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