Gone But Not Forgotten ~
Kenny Gramas will remain in the hearts and minds
of those who knew him, for many years to come.
My Friend, Kenny Kidd
by Rich Schell
For Ken, more than anyone Ive ever known, life was a thrill. For Ken, life was to be lived. On Jan. 28, in a tragic ski accident, we lost Kenneth John Gramas. How devastating this loss is will never be measured. How empty we feel cannot be expressed.
If you did not have the good fortune to have known Kenny Kidd, as he affectionately came to be known, do not remorse, for there is a chance that, at some point in your travels in life, you will meet someone who did. And perhaps, through this person, you may come to hear about a most special human being.
Ken touched many of our lives with his kindness and sincere generosity. He possessed an energy that embraced and changed everyone around him. You may have been casting for bass on a lazy summer afternoon with him, or going hell-bent-for-election on a bump field in Wyoming with him. Whatever it was didnt matter, you couldnt help but enjoy yourself - his company was fantastic.
Love of Life
He took life head on and never ever looked back. He excelled at life. And while we all experience setbacks and low points, Ken had the power to turn them into positives, to learn from every experience he had, because he was in it for keeps. He asked me once "Why would anyone ever do something they didnt intend to enjoy?" Anyone who ever did, Ken, obviously never knew you.
Ken was a comedian with an entrepreneurs mind in an athletes body. He lived more in his 25 years with us than most live in their entire lives. This has been said of many, but never has it been more appropriate.
His ambitions led him to many parts of the world. From New York to the Rockies to California, from Europe to Australia to Russia. He was intrigued by it all, and all it had to offer. He would come back into our lives just long enough to hold us with his most recent adventures before embarking on another. And for the time that he is away from us now, he is really still here, for his spirit and character will live with us all. I love you Kenny Kidd, and look forward to seeing you again.
by Michael T. Albano
An avalanche in Russia last week claimed the life of a Waccabuc resident who friends say will always be remembered for his love of life.
Kenneth John Gramas, 25, a 1984 graduate of John Jay High School and son of Cross River Pharmacy owner Gregory Gramas, was on a ski trip in the Caucasus Mountains with a guide and with a friend, Scot Nichol, when the avalanche occurred. The guide, who had written books on avalanches, was killed instantly. Mr. Gramas died five hours later at a hospital. Mr. Nichol was unharmed.
"His life was a journey on a path that included the adventure of travel as well as learning and sharing his wisdom that he collected along the way," Dr. Deidre Gramas said of her brother.
Mr. Gramas and Mr. Nichol moved to Moscow in November where they organized ski tours and charters to various Russian ski resorts. While in Russia, Mr. Gramas organized a dance for Project Hope, which benefited a Moscow Childrens Hospital. He had recently received a medal of appreciation from the Russian government for his efforts.
Mr. Gramas work on behalf of children comes as no surprise to those who knew him. "It was always a pleasure to watch Ken as he was able to reach into a childs mind and enjoy what was going on in there, for there are few people in this world who understand where they come from and fewer still who realize where we all go. Ken was able to go into the childs mind, because he truly enjoyed discovering, loving and just being," said two of Mr. Gramas friends, Colin Milone and Matt Carpenter, in a letter given to The Patent Trader. "Ken loved children, for children love life."
Mr. Gramas attended John Jay High School where he lettered in three sports. Assistant Principal Douglas C. Both, who was a dean and a teacher at the time, remembers Mr. Gramas as an enthusiastic, spirited person with a zest for life.
"A great loss was felt by the John Jay community when it received word of Kens death, but he left a legacy of warmth, energy, and the joy of life that will never be forgotten," said Mr. Both.
After graduating from John Jay in 1984, Mr. Gramas attended Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa., where he received a bachelors degree in Government Studies and a minor in Russian Studies. In 1988, his senior year at F&M, he was chosen for the All American Lacrosse Team, division 3.
"He embodied all of the qualities of the finest athletics," said Rich Clinchy, Mr. Gramas high school basketball coach.
Many people have tried to reflect on Mr. Gramas life, but some feel he did it best himself through a quote by Walter Payton, which Mr. Gramas chose to accompany his picture in the 1984 John Jay yearbook: "Ill never die easy, never give up. Every time Im on the field, every time I touch the ball, every play, Ill always die hard. Ill play on ice."
In addition to his father and sister, Mr. Gramas is survived by his mother, Carlotta Gramas, and a brother, Gregory Gramas, Jr.
A memorial service was held last Saturday. Friends and family are making contributions in Mr. Gramas memory to Project Hope for Moscow Childrens Hospital, Box 250, Millwood, Virginia, 22646, or New York Special Olympics, 3 Cornell Drive, Airport Park, Latham, NY 12110.
by Douglas C. Both, Assistant Principal, John Jay High School
Kenneth John Gramas was a student at John Jay High School from 1981 to 1984. From the moment he arrived on the campus, however, it was evident that Kenney was no ordinary student.
Ken was a good student who was never as concerned with the grade as he was with an insatiable desire to know. His teachers described him as "determined, intense, self-confident and mature" for his age. Always looking for a challenge, Kenny sought knowledge and experience as a way to better understand himself in relation to the world and its people.
Kennys indomitable spirit was most evident on the fields and courts of athletic competition. He was, without question, one of the most gifted and tenacious athletes in John Jays history. His coaches in three sports - football, basketball, and lacrosse - described him as a selflessly fierce competitor who gave 150% every practice, as well as every game. No matter how far his team may have been down (which, thanks to him, wasnt very often), he never gave up.
Football coach Jim Capalbo will never forget being down 0-7 to Horace Greeley with only two minutes left to play. Ken, as captain and quarterback, led his team down the field to the goal line and dove in for the goal. He then took the ball in again for the two-point conversion, winning the game 8-7 with seconds left.
"The quality that Ken will be remembered most for, however, was his unyielding zest for life."
Kennys basketball coach Rich Clinchy recalls with great fondness how Kenny won about four games in the last seconds during the regular season to bring his team to the County Center for the second championship against White Plains. Coach Clinchy will never forget the sight of Kenny diving across County Center court for a loose ball, even when they were down so far all seemed hopeless. "He embodied all of the qualities of the finest athletes," said Mr. Clinchy.
Leadership
His leadership in the school and on teams was evidenced by the fact that he was captain of just about every team on which he played. Sportsmanship awards, coaches awards, most dedicated, All Division Honorable Mention, NBNA outstanding player, All Division Lacrosse, are just a few of the many awards Ken earned from his dedication to school and sport.
The quality that Ken will be remembered most for, however, was his unyielding zest for life. He was a young man who could light up a room with his never-ending smile and inexhaustible enthusiasm. This passion brought him great admiration from his many close friends, peers and teachers.
Kenney described himself best in the quote by Walter Payton he chose to accompany his yearbook picture: "Ill never die easy, never give up. Every time Im on the field, every time I touch the ball, every play, Ill always die hard. Ill play on ice."
A great loss was felt by the John Jay community when it received word of Kens death, but he left a legacy of warmth, energy, and the joy of life that will never be forgotten.
by Jeannette Ross
Ken Gramas was loved by everyone who knew him. And judging by the number of people who said good-bye to him last Saturday at the South Salem Presbyterian Church, he touched many, many lives.
As most people in Lewisboro know by now, Mr. Gramas, 25, was killed in a snow avalanche on Tuesday, January 28, on Mouth Elbrus, the highest of the Caucasus Mountains, which are in western Russia. His guide, a Russian who was an expert on avalanches, was also killed. A friend, Scott Nichol, survived.
Mr. Gramas moved to Moscow in November, and he and Mr. Nichol were organizing ski tours and charters in Russian resorts.
This was just the latest in a long list of adventures during a too-short life. "His life was a journey on a path that included the adventure of travel, as well as learning and sharing the wisdom he collected along the way," wrote his sister Deirdre Gramas.
Shortly before his death, Mr. Gramas was awarded a medal of appreciation from the Russian government for his charity work. He had organized a dance to benefit Project Hopes Childrens Hospital in Moscow.
Two of Mr. Gramas friends, Colin Milone of Pound Ridge and Matt Carpenter of Lewisboro, remember his live for children. "It was always a pleasure to watch Ken as he was able to reach into a childs mind and enjoy what was going on in there," they recalled, "for there are few people in this world who understand where they come from and fewer still who realize where we all go."
They also remembered his sense of humor. "Ken loved to make people laugh. When you saw Ken, you would smile, and you would feel very alive. He made you laugh, not to make himself feel better, but because he loved his fellow man."
Entrepreneur & Traveler
In addition to his charter work, Mr. Gramas was also active in a number of other Russian projects, including construction, selling security systems, and the catering business.
He had also taught lacrosse in Australia and worked as a ski instructor in Vermont and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. At home, Mr. Gramas was a member of the Cross River Theater Co. and performed in The Wiz and Kiss Me Kate. He graduated from John Jay High School in 1984 and received a bachelors degree in Government Studies from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa. in 1988.
Kenny left behind his parents, Gregory and Carlotta Gramas of Waccabuc, his sister Deirdre Gramas of San Francisco, and a brother, Gregory Gramas, Jr. of Memphis, Tenn. He also left behind many, many friends.