Joseph Walter Kern

Joseph Kern, 86, formerly of Orrs Island, ME, died peacefully at the Marley House Hospice in Prescott, AZ, on August 13, 2011. He was born in New Britain, CT, on June 5, 1925 to Genevieve and Frank Kurtyka. Joe served in the U.S. Navy during both World War II and the Korean War. He attended Clark University in Worcester, Mass, where he earned a degree in geology. He later earned a masters degree in special education in Hartford, CT. Joe worked his entire career in education, where he always championed the rights of children with special needs. After beginning his career as a special education teacher in Simsbury (CT) public schools, he went on to become the principal of the Mansfield State Training School in Mansfield, CT. After moving to Maine in 1969, he became the Director of Special Education for the State of Maine. He later served as the director of the Cerebral Palsy Center in Portland and subsequently worked as a hearing officer for the ME State Department of Education. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Elizabeth Kern, daughter Susan (Richard) Cottine of Prescott, AZ, son James (Brenda) Kern, of Yarmouth, ME, and daughter Margaret Kern of Cottonwood, AZ. He is also survived by three grandchildren: Scott Kern, Cheryl Cottine, and Jennifer (Matthew) Hitchcock. He leaves a sister, Helen Cwiekowski, and brother, Walter (Jane) Kurtyka.

Service:
A private cremation will take place at the Bradshaw Crematory in Prescott Valley, AZ.