Kerry Backes

Kerry “Kermit” Backes, 66, passed away peacefully on May 6, 2023.  Kerry was predeceased by his parents, Norma Cartwright Terry and William Backes.

He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Marcia Parsons Backes, his sons, Joseph Backes and Christopher Backes, his sisters Corinne (Jeff) King, Merri (Mark) Rowland, and Ramona (Gary) Backes-Mooney, his brother Mitchell (Teresa) Terry, and many nieces and nephews.

Born December 8, 1956 in Warsaw, New York, Kerry attended high school in Nunda, New York and college at Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York.

Preferring to work with his hands, Kerry left RIT and apprenticed asa toolmaker.  He spent the remainder of his career in tool and die, working for Hansford and Southco, and for a while as part owner of ROCKBURL Industries.

Kerry was a man of many talents and interests.  In his younger years, he was active in a variety of sports:  motocross racing, triathlons, baseball, soccer, wrestling, hockey, bowling, etc.  He enjoyed working with his hands and always had home improvement projects in progress.  He was good at building things, from log cabins to computers and dirt bikes.  He loved to spend time with his boys, including scouting, camping, coaching soccer and traveling to sports tournaments all over the Northeast.  He loved cooking with Joseph on the Blackstone, and he loved working at Southco with Christopher.  He was looking forward to retirement in a warmer climate, so he chose Texas where he could hike, golf and play tennis and pickleball year round.
Kerry was a quiet man who made friends everywhere he went.  He was loved and will be missed by everyone who knew him.

Remembrance celebrations are planned for Saturday, May 13, 2-5pm, at Tomball Bowl in Tomball, Texas, and on Sunday, June 11, noon-5pm at Hopkins Point Lodge, Mendon, New York.