James S. Kerfien

CASTORLAND – James S. Kerfien, 76, of State Route 126, passed away Wednesday morning, November 2, 2016 in his home. 

A Funeral Mass will be said at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 5, 2016 at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, Croghan, with Rev. Vincent Freeh, Missionary of the Sacred Heart, Watertown, NY, officiating.  Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery Annex, Beaver Falls.  There will be no calling hours.  Prior to mass, family and friends are welcome to attend a prayer service at 10:00 a.m. at Iseneker Funeral Home, Inc., Lowville.  Immediately following the burial, there will be a luncheon at the Croghan American Legion Post #1663.  All are welcome.  Food donations are to be brought directly to the Legion.  Contributions in his memory may be made to the Castorland Fire Department, P.O. Box 37, Castorland, NY 13620; or to the Beaver Falls Fire Department, P.O. Box 456, Beaver Falls, NY 13305.

He is survived by his companion of 36 years, Kay Manzer; a son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Tina Kerfien of Croghan; a daughter and son-in-law, Bethany and Steven Hoch of Castorland; Kay’s children, Randy J. Manzer of Beaver Falls; Cheryl A. and Joel Schuyler of Star Lake; Brenda L. Burdeaux of Aurora, Colorado; Karen and Gary Galasso of Castorland; a brother, Joseph Kerfien of Glenfield; three sisters, Helen and William Raymond of Lowville; Shirley and Robert Hoppel of Castorland; Doris and Carl Hoppel of Castorland; eleven grandchildren, Zachary and Shannon Kerfien; Jacob Hoch and his companion Ashley Mayer and great-granddaughter Bella; Jenna and Andrew Vance; Jason Boliver; Marcie and Neil McCrea; Angela and Chris Waite; Brittney Manzer; Lyndsey Galasso; Rebecca Manzer and her son Aaron; Bradley Schuyler; and Brandon Burdeaux; as well as several aunts, uncles, and several nieces, nephews, cousins.  He is predeceased by a son-in-law, Michael Burdeaux; a granddaughter, Christina Boliver; a sister, Rosemary Tabolt; two brothers, John Kerfien and Michael Kerfien; and by a sister-in-law, Kathy Kerfien.

James was born on September 7, 1940 in Lowville, a son of the late Leonard and Gladys McLane Kerfien.  He graduated from Father Leo Memorial School in 1958.  Mr. Kerfien worked for George Muth Painting in Croghan from 1958 until 1962, when he went to work for Beaverite Products until 1984.  He began working for the New York State Department of Transportation in 1985, where he worked until his retirement in 2002.

Mr. Kerfien was a communicant of St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, Croghan.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing.   

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.isenekerfuneralhome.com .

 Service Information