Jens Erick Sorensen

Jens Erick Sorensen 

Dec. 11, 1932 - Sep. 22, 2023

Jens Erick Sorensen, 90, of Kingston, NY passed peacefully on Friday, September 22, 2023 at Ten Broeck Center, Lake Katrine, NY.

Born in Kingston, NY to John S. and Elsie Sorensen, he was predeceased by his beloved wife of 58 years, Kathryn. He worked on various farms, Cornell Steamship Company in Kingston, served in the Army and used the G.I. Bill to study Industrial Arts at the former California State Teachers College in PA. He started his Industrial Arts teaching career in NJ at North Arlington High School where he helped start up their program, before spending the majority of his teaching years before retirement, at Kingston High School. He also was owner of Sorensen’s Mobile Maintenance, arriving with his self-customized box truck performing vehicle maintenance for accounts like Boice’s Dairy, Colonial Roofing, Mechanics Uniform/Aramark and private car owners.

His dedication and love for teaching was respected and appreciated by all those that found enjoyment in his classes and continue today to use the skills they learned from him. Some students unfortunately experienced his monitoring of detention and unless he heard each minute’s click of the old clock, everyone stayed an extra minute.

Teaching did not just occur in the classrooms at KHS but many times at home with his kids and leather working kits for belts and wallets around the kitchen table, or woodworking projects in the basement wood-shop. We learned that if you need something, you most likely could create or build it yourself. 

His treasured pastimes were woodcarving, speed reading through mysteries (keeping a lengthy list of every book he read), camping trips local and cross-country, a good Sunday drive, accompanying Kathryn’s piano playing with his accordion, and finishing up the dinner leftovers. 

Erick was a member of several clubs/organizations including the American Legion, Leffooters Square Dance club and The Blue Cats men’s club.

Surviving are his daughter Kathleen (Kenneth) Sprague, his sons Thomas, Stephen (Susie), Michael (Heidi Avery), and Craig (Sue); grandsons Erick (Tracy), Stephen Jr., Daniel; great-grandson Cole; extended family. He was predeceased by his brother John Philip.

The family would like to thank the staff at Ten Broeck Center in Lake Katrine for their care, compassion and support they provided him and the family.

Arrangements entrusted to Keyser Funeral & Cremation Service, Kingston, NY. A tribute for Jens can be found at www.KeyserFuneralService.com, where you may leave memories and expressions of sympathy for his family.  A private celebration will be held at a later date. Contributions can be made in Erick’s memory to Douglas L Cordo American Legion Post 1748, Lake Katrine, NY 12449.