Obituary for Edwin G. Korner
Edwin George “Whitey” Korner, 89, of Canton, beloved husband of Patricia (Fox) Korner, died Friday, June 24, 2022 at his home surrounded by family. He was born December 14, 1932 in Stafford Springs, only child of the late Charles Clifford and Eva (Perkins) Korner of Willington. Ed was a proud veteran of the Korean War having served in the U.S. Navy aboard the Destroyer Escort, DE 685, USS Coates. While serving as best man in a shipmate’s wedding, he met the love of his life, Pattie Fox, who was the maid of honor. After their marriage six months later, they purchased the Caleb Case farmhouse c1785 in Canton Center, taking on a lifelong project of renovations and restoration. Always a man committed to public service, at the age of 18 he joined the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department and in 1969 joined the North Canon Volunteer Fire Department where he progressed to the rank of Deputy Fire Chief. Ed also quickly moved up the ranks at Pratt and Whitney moving from apprentice to union blues, retiring after over 40 years as an Engineer with United Technologies. Ever the hard worker, Ed moonlighted at Miner’s delivering oil as well as with Harold Freytag fixing furnaces. In retirement, Ed worked late into his eighties at Ace Hardware alongside his young co-workers and Fred Larsen Jr and Sr.
He was a life long volunteer and servant to the Canton community, retiring from the North Canton Fire, Canton Ambulance and Fire Police Departments with 50 years of service. His Service was highlighted as an EMT when he assisted in delivering a baby and also when he received a commendation from the Chief of the Department for his Fire Police work securing a difficult emergency scene.
Ed also had enjoyed fellowship and camaraderie scrubbing clams for the annual firehouse clam bakes, marching in parades, volunteering at the Special Olympics, and the Greater Hartford Open.
Ed was a very active golfer, bowler and skier participating in many leagues over the years making lifelong friends. He enjoyed taking family trips to Butternut, Mount Snow, the Cape, camping in the pop up at Lake Sebago and renting cabins at Lake George, attending Polish-fests and a very special family holiday visit to Disney World. Ed and Pat loved to watch UCONN Women’s Basketball and took several trips including a Caribbean cruise and weekends to Ongonquit, ME. Ed was an example of the best qualities for a successful life, teaching his family to work hard and take chances, overcome and learn from failure, be resilient, rise above the fight, never gossip, be able to laugh with people and at yourself, always be helpful and kind and forever loyally love your family and friends.
In addition to his loving wife of 59 years, Ed leaves his children, Glenn Korner and wife Deb of Canton, CT, Jim Korner of Barkhamsted, CT and Elizabeth Korner-Wilbur and husband Jack Wilbur of Winsted, CT and his grandchildren, Amy Greenblatt, Glenn Korner, Noah Korner and his love Sarah, Brendan Ritchie and Rachel Butler.
A Celebration of Ed’s life will be held at the Vincent Funeral Home, 120 Albany Turnpike in Canton at 12:00 Noon on Monday, July 25th. Visitation will be held prior starting at 11:00 AM. Burial with military honors will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Collinsville. Donation in his memory may be made Canton EMS Services Please visit Ed’s Book of Memories at www.vincentfuneralhome.com
He was a life long volunteer and servant to the Canton community, retiring from the North Canton Fire, Canton Ambulance and Fire Police Departments with 50 years of service. His Service was highlighted as an EMT when he assisted in delivering a baby and also when he received a commendation from the Chief of the Department for his Fire Police work securing a difficult emergency scene.
Ed also had enjoyed fellowship and camaraderie scrubbing clams for the annual firehouse clam bakes, marching in parades, volunteering at the Special Olympics, and the Greater Hartford Open.
Ed was a very active golfer, bowler and skier participating in many leagues over the years making lifelong friends. He enjoyed taking family trips to Butternut, Mount Snow, the Cape, camping in the pop up at Lake Sebago and renting cabins at Lake George, attending Polish-fests and a very special family holiday visit to Disney World. Ed and Pat loved to watch UCONN Women’s Basketball and took several trips including a Caribbean cruise and weekends to Ongonquit, ME. Ed was an example of the best qualities for a successful life, teaching his family to work hard and take chances, overcome and learn from failure, be resilient, rise above the fight, never gossip, be able to laugh with people and at yourself, always be helpful and kind and forever loyally love your family and friends.
In addition to his loving wife of 59 years, Ed leaves his children, Glenn Korner and wife Deb of Canton, CT, Jim Korner of Barkhamsted, CT and Elizabeth Korner-Wilbur and husband Jack Wilbur of Winsted, CT and his grandchildren, Amy Greenblatt, Glenn Korner, Noah Korner and his love Sarah, Brendan Ritchie and Rachel Butler.
A Celebration of Ed’s life will be held at the Vincent Funeral Home, 120 Albany Turnpike in Canton at 12:00 Noon on Monday, July 25th. Visitation will be held prior starting at 11:00 AM. Burial with military honors will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Collinsville. Donation in his memory may be made Canton EMS Services Please visit Ed’s Book of Memories at www.vincentfuneralhome.com