DANNEMORA — John "Grube" R. Kourofsky, 93, of Dannemora, N.Y., passed away at CVPH Medical Center, Plattsburgh, N.Y., March 21, 2013. John was born Feb. 29, 1920, to Alexander and Melvina (Cheska) Kourofsky. John grew up in Lyon Mountain, N.Y. He worked at the Standish Blast-furnace, and later at the Lyon Mountain mines and retired from Clinton Correctional Facility in 1974.
After John's retirement, he served as Town Assessor, and then as Town Supervisor of Dannemora. His passion in life was politics. One of John's proudest political achievements was to secure grant funding through as many contacts in Washington as he could to establish a doctor's office and to diligently search and secure the first doctor in Dannemora.
John was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus Council #2166 for 66 years, also served as District Deputy and served on the board of the Adirondack Park Agency.
He loved gardening, canning, hunting and fishing, there he found peace. John enjoyed baseball, most especially the Boston Red Sox, and football, the New York Giants.
John is survived by his two daughters, Judith Walker of Dannemora and Nancy Kourofsky of Fairport, N.Y.; his grandchildren, John and his wife Delores Walker, Shawn Walker and his long term companion Holly Mooney, Richie Walker and friend Kristia Morrow, Amy Cole and Robert Kourofsky; four great-grandchildren, Vincent Heaney II, Jacqueline Walker, Autumn Charland, Katie Mooney; and one great-great-grandson, Tanner King; his brothers, Walter "Wally" and his wife Rita Kourofsky, Francis "Corky" and his wife Betty Kourofsky and Alexander "Chic" and his wife Estelle Kourofsky. John is also survived by his sister-in-law, Anna Rock; and many nieces and nephews.
John was predeceased by his wife Helen (Thompson) Kourofsky; his parents, Alexander and Melvina (Cheska) Kourofsky; John and Helen's infant son, Robert Kourofsky; three sisters, Anastasia, Anna and Mary; and four brothers, Stanley, Anthony, and Joseph Kourofsky.
At John's request, there will be no calling hours or funeral services. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. Donations in John's memory may be made to the Lyon Mountain Mining & Railroad Museum. 2898 Standish Road. Lyon Mountain, NY 12952. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Heald Funeral Home, 48 Court Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901. Online condolences may be offered by visiting www.healdfuneralhomeinc.com
