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Ren W. Kohler
Ren W. “Mickey” Kohler, a lifelong resident of East Quogue, died at Peconic Bay Medical Center on March 14. He was 71.
Born in Southampton, he was the son of Walter Kohler and Doris Overton, and graduated from Westhampton Beach High School. On September 11, 1961, at the age of 21, he joined the East Quogue Fire Department and remained an active member for 52 years. He became a lieutenant in the department in 1965 and from 1977 to 1979 he was chief. From 1993 until 2002, he was a commissioner of the East Quogue Fire District.
Mr. Kohler served in the U.S. Army from 1963 through 1965, and joined the Quogue VFW Post 5350 when he returned home, becoming a great player for its softball league. It is from his time on the team that he got the nickname of “Mickey “(for Mickey Mantel) and it stuck for the rest of his life.
He was employed by Boar’s Head as a sale distributor for Donneson Provisions for 42 years. They referred to him as a member of their family, giving him the nickname “Baloney King.”
Mr. Kohler is survived by a sister-in-law, Donna Kohler of East Quogue; two nephews, Michael Kohler, and David R. Kohler and his fiancée Jennifer Johnson; and a niece, Dawn M. Kohler of East Quogue. He was predeceased by a brother, Lee Rowe Kohler.
Visiting hours were held at the J. Ronald Scott Funeral Home on March 17. Members of the Quogue VFW Post 5350 held a service on Sunday afternoon. The East Quogue Fire Department held firematic services. Deacon Christ Erwin, chaplain of the East Quogue Fire Department, conducted a funeral service on Sunday evening.
A funeral procession, led by many neighborhood fire departments, ended at the Oakwood Cemetery in East Quogue for interment at the Kohler-Overton family plot.
on Mar 19, 2013