Obituary of Kenneth E. Rose

Kenneth E. Rose, 78, died June 27, 2023, at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. 

He was born June 14, 1945, to the late Kenneth and Mildred Brown Rose. 

He attended Hyde Park Schools, graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1963, and then attended DCC for commercial arts courses. 

On April 26, 1969, he married his high school sweetheart Cheryl Spilbor, who survives. 

He worked for 10 years for Al Heim Signs. Then 30 years for the City of Poughkeepsie as a Sign Maintenance Supervisor and was awarded Employee of the Year. He retired in 2002. In 2004, he found true happiness working at the Ten Mile River Preserve until the present. 

In his youth he was active in softball, basketball, bowling, golf, lifeguarding, and darts, playing in Poughkeepsie and Grange Leagues. He was the Home Run King. 

Active in hunting and fishing, he was a life member and board member of the Chestnut Ridge Rod and Gun Club. A life member and former treasurer of the Dutchess County Sportsmen and an honorary member for his contributions to some others. He served as a board member for Mid-Hudson TU for many years. 

His absolute favorite was the Dutchess County Federation of Fish and Game Clubs, where he served on the board and as County Fish Chairman for over 35 years. As Fish Chairman, he developed with his wife Cheryl, Get Hooked on Fishing at Morgan Lake, which ran for 25 years. Thanks to the Federation, City of Poughkeepsie, and all of the donors and amazing volunteers that made the event possible. 

Ken was awarded Sportsman of the Year by the Federation and the NYS Outdoorsmen Assoc. 

For the Get Hooked on Fishing event, Ken and Cheryl were honored by the Dutchess County Legislature and the NYS Conservation Council and inducted into the Dutchess Sports Museum and Elk’s Club Halls of Fame. Ken served on the board of the Sports Museum for 20 years. 

In recent years, Ken joined the Stone Church Fishing Club to fish with his grandson and served as treasurer. 

He served on the board of the Federation’s Conservation Awareness Foundation and participated in its programs, such as Hunters for the Hungry. 

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his beloved daughter Jeannine, his fishing buddy grandson Kenny, his princess granddaughter Molly, sister Linda and husband Don Briggs, brother Donald Rose, and wife Grace, brother-in-law Gary Spilbor and wife Elaine, 4 nephews and a niece, cousins and numerous friends. He was predeceased by a nephew Kenneth M. Rose. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Conservation Awareness Foundation, P.O. Box 3201, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. 

Visitation will be Sunday, July 2, 2023, from 4:00 – 8:00 pm at Timothy Doyle Funeral Home on Hooker Avenue, Poughkeepsie.  Funeral services will be held Monday, July 3, 2023, at 11:00 am at the Funeral Home.  Burial to follow at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery, South Road, Poughkeepsie.