Obituary of Elbert L. "Lee" Jenks, Jr.

Mr. Elbert L. “Lee” Jenks, Jr. of Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY died peacefully on Saturday, October 19, 2019 following a courageous battle with cancer.  He was 75 years old.

Lee was born on March 30, 1944 in Springfield, MA the son of Elbert L. “Bud” Jenks, Sr. and Eleanore L. Lamoureux Jenks.  As a young child, he moved to Canajoharie and graduated from Canajoharie High School in 1963.

A fixture of Canajoharie, Lee was employed by the Canajoharie Department of Public works for 38 years retiring in 2001.  Following his retirement he was employed with the Betz, Rossi, Bellinger & Stewart Family Funeral Homes.  For 18 years he assisted with grieving families and was often seen as the doorman at Lenz & Betz Funeral Home.

Dedicated to his community, Lee was an active member with the Canajoharie Volunteer Fire Department for over 37 years.  He served in all capacities and was the Chief in 1994.  He was also a member of the B.P.O.E. #2621 Canajoharie- Fort Plain, and enjoyed being a Cub Master and Baseball coach.  Lee will be remembered for his quick wit and his smile.  He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Survivors include his wife, JoAnn Marcellino Jenks; children, Emelie Hayden and Thomas Jenks and his wife Christina; five grandchildren, Anthony, Andrew, Michael, Kaitlyn and Thomas; one brother, Robert Jenks and his wife Ann; one nephew, Rob Jenks and his wife Darci; one niece, Donata Oldick and her husband Joel; one great nephew, Gregory Costello; two great nieces, Gabriella Jenks and Emma Oldick; cousins and his extended family of brothers and sisters in fire service.

He was predeceased by his grandson, Domenic Hayden; and his mother-in-law, Angeline “Angie” Marcellino on October 13, 2019.

Last Call and Fireman Honors will take place on Thursday, October 24, 2019 at 10a.m. at the Canajoharie Volunteer Fire Department, 75 Erie Blvd, Canajoharie, NY.  A Mass of Christian Burial will then be offered on Thursday, October 24, 2019 at 11a.m. at Our Lady of Hope Roman Catholic Church, 115 Reid Street, Fort Plain, NY with the Rev. O. Robert DeMartinis as celebrant.  Burial will take place in the Fort Plain Cemetery.  Calling Hours will be held on Wednesday evening from 4p.m. until 7p.m. at the Lenz & Betz Funeral Home, 69 Otsego Street, Canajoharie; where a Candle Light Prayer Service led by members of the Canajoharie Fire Department will be held at 7p.m.In lieu of flowers, Lee requested that donations be made in his memory to his beloved, Canajoharie Volunteer Fire Department.  Please visit the online memorial at www.brbsfuneral.com