Obituaries
Robert W. Spear

Tuesday, June 18, 2002 - 4:52:27 AM MST

Longtime Fairbanksan Julius Alexander "Korny" Kornfeind passed away early on June 12, 2002, at the Fairbanks Pioneers' Home.

"Korny" as he was known to Alaskans, was born in New York City on Oct. 5, 1912. He came north in 1938 from Pennsylvania and found employment in the gold fields working with the FE Co.

He helped charter three local unions, including International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1550, then worked for Local 1533 until its amalgamation into the statewide Local 1547. Korny served as IBEW representative for the area north of the 63rd parallel from 1959 to 1974, when he became area representative for the National Electrical Contractors Association.

He served as president of the Fairbanks Building Trades, president of the Fairbanks Central Labor Council, and president of the Fairbanks Joint Crafts Council. He also served as a vice-president of the Alaska State Federation of Labor and chairman of the Fairbanks COPE Committee. The electrical training school in Fairbanks at the corner of King and Dale roads was named the Julius A. Kornfeind Training Center in his honor. His committee and commission experience in a variety of areas was extensive.

Korny was especially proud of his service on the Greater Fairbanks Community Hospital Foundation board and the Alaska Goldpanners board of directors. He was active for many years in the Elks Lodge, Pioneers of Alaska, and Fairbanks Curling Club. Korny was an avid fisherman and outdoor enthusiast, fishing and hunting across Alaska. He was an incomparable storyteller, respected far and wide not only for his ability to tell a story, but to actually have lived the many adventures he told about.

Korny is survived by a sister Margaret Bodor of Florida, daughters Judy Boyle and Kari Westlund, stepdaughters Roxanne Creamer and Jeannie Dalton, stepsons Chuck, D.G., Gary, and Jeff Creamer, all of their spouses and numerous grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Connie just a month ago, by his sister Helen last September, and by his son Dick in 1966.

A memorial service for Korny and Connie will be held jointly on Thursday, June 27, at 2 p.m. at the Holy Family Chapel at Monroe High School. Please note the change in location for Connie's service. A reception will follow at Elk's Lodge.

Arrangements were by Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home