By JACKSON WANG
Executive Editor
And REGINA IANNIZZOTTO
Opinion Editor
The College of Saint Rose lost one of its own earlier this month.
Raymond Kirsten, a building maintenance worker, passed away at the age of 51 after a brief illness on April 5th at Ellis hospital in Schenectady surrounded by his family.
“Ray was gregarious, talkative, and had a great sense of humor,” said John Bryant, assistant vice president of facilities. “He was well liked by his co-workers and was also seen as a go to employee representative with regard to labor management issues.”
Kirsten was hired by The College in January 2002, working temporarily as a carpenter. He was then promoted to a full-time carpenter position in 2010.
James Percy, a maintenance mechanic at The College, described Kirsten as almost like a big brother. The two were good friends in and out of work, said Percy.
“He was a caring person who always remembered by family on special holidays with a gift or candy for kids,” said Percy.
Another co-worker and friend of Kirsten was Tim Reilly, who’s knew Kirsten for 11 years while working at The College as a painter. Reilly said Kirsten was a carpenter by trade, but could do just about anything, which included computers.
“If anyone needed any help at the college or at home, all you had to do was ask and Ray would be there,” said Reilly.
Debra Lee Polley, associate vice president for finance and comptroller, said she remembered Kirsten for always taking the time to ask how everyone was doing, including their families.
“He truly cared about helping students and employees and making sure other’s needs were met,” said Polley. She added he’ll be missed by all but will always be remembered.
“There was this nonstop energy Ray had,” said Kim Lynch, director of event and scheduling, who worked with Kirsten for nine years. “Ray always had suggestions on how we could do things better.”
Lynch remembers Kirsten talking on two projects in her office last summer, which he stripped, sanded, and refinished two wood tables in the building. She said his workmanship was nothing less than professional.
Alexandra Kirsten, one of Raymond Kirsten’s daughters, echoed the words of her father’s colleagues. She described him as the type of person to give someone the shirt off his back even if they already had one.
“He would help anyone that needed it and he would do it with a smile on his face,” said Kirsten.
She also said he was a genuinely happy guy who truly loved his wife and made it obvious that his family was the most important thing in his life.
“I can’t put into words the things he taught me and what he gave me,” said Kirsten, “but I can say that thanks to him, I will live life to the fullest and do my best to put others before myself and just be happy.”
