Mar 19, 2018

In Memoriam: PIANY past President Henry J. Kaye

PIA is sad to report the passing of longtime PIANY board member and past President Henry James Kaye, CIC, on Saturday, March 17.

Henry was an insurance industry veteran of more than 50 years. He began his career with Kemper Insurance, where he learned the business. In 1979, he became vice president of Brown, Stromekci and Kaye in Western New York and he was associated with Scott Danahy Naylon Co., in Williamsville, N.Y., prior to his retirement.

He served as president of PIANY in 1992-93, and served on virtually every committee for the association, including the PIA Political Action Governing Committee. He received PIANY’s Distinguished Insurance Service award in 2015, in part for his extensive work on behalf of PIA’s District Office Visits throughout Western New York. He served as chair of the PIA National Advisory Board; the Western New York Fieldmans Association; and as president of the Insurance Club of Buffalo, which honored him as Insurance Person of the Year at its Buffalo I-Day. 

Active in his community, he volunteered for the Erie County Special Olympics and served as a director of volunteers for the local and state games. An alumnus of Canisius College, he co-founded and served as president of its Cage Club.

Henry is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara; their sons Thomas and Michael (Melissa) and daughter Amy (Brad) Gay; as well as grandchildren Brian, Lily and Quintin.

Friends may call Tuesday, March 20, 4-8 p.m., at the Dietrich Funeral Home, 2480 Kensington Ave. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, March 21, at 9:30 a.m., at Christ the King Church, Main St., and Lamarck. Flowers gratefully declined. Memorials may be made to the Special Olympics. A full obituary can be found in the Buffalo News and condolences may be made at www.TheDietrichFuneralHome.com.