Obituary of John E. Kinn

On Friday, October 24, 2025, John Edward Kinn, 88, a devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather, and great-grandfather, was called home to Heaven. Born in 1937 to Alfred and Mary (Osburn) Kinn, he was a lifelong resident of Angola, New York. John exemplified a life defined by family, faith, service, and adventure. In 1960, John married the love of his life, Judy, and together they shared 65 wonderful years. Rarely would you see one without the other, whether they were traveling across the country, enjoying sunsets, bowling, or spending time with their grandchildren. John often said his greatest accomplishment was his family. Together, he and Judy raised four children—Julie (Charles) Lohr, John (Tracy) Kinn, David (Elesha) Kinn, and Annmarie (Robert) Drago—and were blessed with nine grandchildren: Chelsea (Eric), Daniel, Gabi, Andrew, Alex, Matthew, Jack, Karleigh, and Jessika, and three great-grandchildren: Noah, Brady, and Avery. To them all, he was “Papa John,” famous for his silly jokes and legendary Easter Egg Hunts. John is also survived by his brother Robert (Gloria) Kinn, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, MaryAnn Kinn (2017). John began his career with Niagara Mohawk in 1956, where his hard work, leadership, and dedication led him to become Chief Line Mechanic. Over his 47-year career, he received numerous awards for distinguished service, including the prestigious Spirit of Light Safety Award, recognizing his lasting contributions to workplace safety. A true patriot, John also served his country as a member of the 27th Armored Division of the New York National Guard, training at Fort Dix. Committed to serving others, John volunteered for many years with the Lake Erie Beach Fire Department, where he found a deep brotherhood and lifelong friendships. Later in life, he continued his service to the community as a member of the Angola Planning Board. An adventurer at heart, John was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, photography, and the great outdoors. His annual Thanksgiving hunting trips with his sons were among his most cherished traditions. As the years passed his hunting trips evolved into photography excursions, capturing stunning images of wildlife, a passion he proudly shared with his daughters. Growing up along the shores of Lake Erie, John had a lifelong love for swimming, diving, snorkeling, and sailing. He could spend hours in the water or walking the beach in search of hidden treasures. John was also a proud member of the NRA and the Evans Rod and Gun Club, where he was a trap-shooting champion with a wit that was just as sharp. We would be remiss without mentioning his handyman skills, he could fix almost anything and loved lending a hand whenever needed. There are no words to describe how deeply John will be missed by his family and friends. He will be remembered for his big heart, humor, and unwavering devotion to those he loved. Friends may call Wednesday from 3PM-7PM at the ADDISON FUNERAL HOME, INC. 262 N. Main St. Angola, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 11:00 AM in Most Precious Blood Church, 22 Prospect St. Angola, NY. PLEASE ASSEMBLE AT CHURCH. Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, Angola, NY. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in John’s name to one of the following charities: Tunnel to Towers Foundation (https://t2t.org/donate/), Habitat for Humanity (https://habitatbuffalo.org/donate), or St. Jude Children’s Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=header-btn-donate- now).