Alan R. Kimmey's Obituary
Alan R. Kimmey, a gentle soul blessed with a keen mind for mathematics and a kind heart for everyone he met, passed peacefully in his sleep at his home on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024. He was 80 years old.
Born in Troy, New York, Alan was the son of the late Mary E. Murphy Rosenberger and stepson of the late Fred Rosenberger. A graduate of Troy High School, Class of 1961, Mr. Kimmey earned a B.S. in mathematics from Alfred University and his M.S. in mathematics from Syracuse University.
Alan was employed for 40 years by the Syracuse City School District, five at Central Tech High School as a graduate assistant and 35 as a math teacher at Fowler High School. He retired after the 1998-1999 school year to become fulltime caregiver for his mother until her passing in 2001.
Alan was an avid sports fan and season ticket holder for the Syracuse Blazer Hockey Team, and for Syracuse University football, basketball, and lacrosse games.
As a devout “numbers guy” – his longtime license plate was “MATH” – he could tell anyone who cared to know the birthdays and death dates of four generations of family. He applied his gift to service as a timekeeper for Central Tech High School basketball and football teams. He later became a scorekeeper for the National Sports Festival Women's Softball, a role in which he traveled the country. He also was a scorekeeper for Onondaga Community College Women's Softball team, and he was especially proud to be timekeeper for many years for the men's and women's basketball teams at Syracuse University.
Alan’s service in these roles at Syracuse University were recognized in 2001 when the University gave him the Bilbrough Award, named after a long-time women’s sports information professional at the university.
Alan loved music, especially classical music, and he was a season ticket holder for the Syracuse Symphony (Syracuse Orchestra) and Syracuse Friends of Chamber Music. He was also a regular supporter of the Onondaga Community College Music Department, and he enjoyed attending the Syracuse Opera. In 2001, he treated his brother and eight of his cousins to the Billy Joel/Elton John concert at the Carrier Dome.
Alan was also an avid reader. At the time of his death, it was estimated that he owned nearly 3,500 books. He was also a member of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo.
He was kind, thoughtful, and generous with his time and whatever else anyone needed. He donated to many charities including the Church of the Most Holy Rosary in Syracuse. He also enjoyed purchasing Lottery scratch-off tickets and donating the winners to the needy, friends, and family.
Although single his whole life, Alan was an amazing and attentive “foster dad” to his nieces and nephews, whom he loved dearly. This brought him immense joy.
Alan is survived by his nephews and nieces, Richard Hopson, Daniel (Lolita) Hopson, Cynthia Abair (Bruce Phillips), Tara Washington, and Gregory Abair; grandnieces and nephews, Jedidiah, Jesse (Ashley), and Jeshua (Meghan) Hopson, Savanah, Samantha, and Robert Washington, Jr, Karlea Abair, and Christopher Phillips; two great-grandnieces, four great-grandnephews, and many cousins. He was predeceased by his sister, Gail Kimmey, his brother, Bart Kimmey, his niece Dawn Kimmey, and two cousins.
Family and friends are invited to a memorial service in Alan’s honor on Friday, August 2, at 4 p.m. at the Oakwood Cemetery, 940 Comstock Avenue, Syracuse, NY.
Any contribution in memory/honor of Mr. Kimmey is greatly appreciated, and may be made to Onondaga County Public Libraries, or the charity of one’s choice.
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