Kenneth C. Cring, 81, of Malone, N.Y., passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 17th, 2022.

Ken was born in Harrisville, N.Y., on Feb. 3, 1941, the first child of Kenneth F. and Rita Mae Baker Cring. Ken started a long life of learning in a one-room schoolhouse in Waterloo, N.Y., and graduated from Sackets Harbor High School in Sackets Harbor, N.Y., with a Regents diploma.

He earned his BS in Math and Physics at Potsdam State in 1970. He taught at St. Joseph's Catholic School in Malone from 1971 to 1976, and then at Franklin Academy in Malone from 1976 until his retirement in 1997. During that time, he earned a Master's Degree in Computers from Shenandoah University in Winchester, Va. For the last ten years of his teaching career, he taught computer programming and applications, as well as serving as yearbook advisor, a position he often referred to as the most rewarding part of any position he held.

In 1966 he formed the Franklin CYO Basketball League, with the help of Father Andrew Amyot and Monsignor Edmund Dumas. The league has had a long and successful run, providing thousands of young people in the community with the opportunity to learn and play the sport of basketball. Ken was also an official for many high school and adult sporting events during his active years. He was a well-respected official for youth and adult sports and mentor to new officials. An active member of the Lions Club he ran their stand at the Franklin County Fair for over 40 years.

Ken loved to go camping. He visited National Parks in the west with his children and later in life enjoyed the Maine Coast. He spent most hunting seasons with his brothers, son, and nephews at their hunting camp. He picked up golf later in life and was lucky enough to bag a hole-in-one.

Ken is survived by his first wife, Carol Jean Delaney Cring of Watertown, N.Y., and their six children: Kenneth "Jerry" and his wife Suzanne Fleming of Wenham, Mass., Joan and her husband Steve Defayette of Ticonderoga, Jim and his partner, Michelle Duquette of Plattsburgh, Lori and her husband Peter Bifarella of Attica, Andrew and his wife Nicole Parisian Cring of Pleasanton, Calif., Jane and her husband Daniel Connors of Frankfort, N.Y.; as well as two stepchildren, Brian Coryea of Constable, and Darlene Coryea Pagano and her partner Greg Silver of Saranac Lake. Also 11 grandchildren, Cassidy, Charles, and Genevieve Cring; Joseph, Laura (Kiely), Brian, and Sarah (LaPointe) Defayette; Roscoe Duquette; Sunnie (Tobias) and Reagan Bifarella; Madison and Kathleen Cring; and seven great-grandchildren. Ken was admirably known as Chuck by his surviving siblings: Bonnie, Suellen, Kay, Harold, Lois, Howard, Terry, and Dawn; along with numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his partner, Betty Miller of Ellenburg Center. Ken was predeceased by his second wife, Susan Coryea Cring; and his brothers Gerard and Lawrence.

Calling hours will be held at St. Mary-Murphy-Wilcox Funeral Home in Malone on Thursday, January 5th, from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 12 p.m. on Friday, January 6th, at Notre Dame Church in Malone.

Burial will take place at Notre Dame Cemetery in Malone.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Catholic Charities of Franklin County, Malone, N.Y.

Online condolences may be offered at www.chateaugayfuneralhome.com.