Age 85, of South Colton, NY died Sunday morning (January 27, 2103) at the New York State Veterans Home in Batavia. Sonny was born on March 29, 1927 in Massena, NY to the late Kennedy Roosevelt and Olive (Brown) Wilson and also preceded in death by a sister, Olivia “Sis” Hunter Phelps.
He attended the Massena School District while working with his family at their business, Wilson’s Dairy. Sonny enlisted early in the US Navy in 1944. He trained at the Sampson Base in the Finger Lakes before being assigned to duty in the Pacific. After returning from duty, Sonny continued his work at the dairy, and then worked and retired from the NYS Liquor Authority after selling the dairy in the 1970’s. He also was a professional photographer and a private pilot. Sonny was an enthusiastic outdoorsman. His favorite days were spent fishing or in the woods hunting. He belonged to a number of Deer Hunting Clubs in the Adirondack Region, and loved going Moose Hunting in Canada. Another of Sonny’s true passions was his involvement with the Masonic Lodge, Shriners, and their related Masonic organizations. He was just recently honored for being a member of the Massena Masonic Lodge for 60 years.
Survivors include his wife, Hazel (MacKillican) Wilson of Schenectady; daughters, Lynn Wilson, Gail Jefts, Leslie (Dave) Piotrowski, all of Schenectady; son, Kennedy “Skip” (Sandy) Wilson of East Bethany; brother, Willard “Butch” Wilson of Greensburg, PA; 3 grandchildren, Amanda (Joel Kessler) Jefts, Andy and Kelly Piotrowski, and great grandson Rylan Kessler all of Schenectady along with many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
A service will be held in Massena, NY the latter part of April or early May; date and time to be published. Memorials in his memory are suggested to the R.E. Kennedy Wilson Memorial @ Shiner’s Children’s Hospital 516 Carew Street Springfield, MA 01104, (413)787-2000.
THE FAMILY OF KENNEDY WELLS “SONNY” WILSON IS BEING CARED FOR BY THE MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK 14020 (585)343-7500.
