Childhood
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Kenneth Edward Pribil Jr. was born on August 5, 1986 in Queens, New York, and would later move to Rockville Centre, New York with his family. He began skiing at age 3 at Smugglers Notch, was gifted in the classroom, and found a knack for computer and board games. Kenny enjoyed summers at the beach and helping out on the boat, pitching on his RVC little league baseball teams, and frequenting roller coaster rides at amusement parks. He began school at Wilson Elementary and would later rise through the ranks of South Side Middle and High schools before enrolling at the University at Albany.
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Adolescence
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During his adolescence, Kenny was very interested in all facets of literature. He read regularly for enjoyment, as well as for his studies, a wide range of genres, from fantasy-adventure, to accounting/ real estate/ poker-playing guides, or classics. Kenny was also a top scorer of his South Side High School Track & Field team in the shot put and discuss events. In addition, he was an experienced open-water SCUBA Diver and world-class ski racer.
Kenny was also a Camper, Leader-in-Training, and finally a Leader at the Summer Playground Camp program in Rockville Centre, NY. The late Tony Brunetta, Kenny's mentor and friend, wrote a beautiful letter of recommendation on his behalf. |
Diagnosis
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Following Kenny’s diagnosis with Angiosarcoma cancer in July 2005, Kenny was very brave and fought his disease with lengthy hospital visits including monthly and sometimes weekly treatments of intense chemotherapy and radiation. Kenny stayed busy between treatments with trips to Florida, online and local college classes, and frequent online poker tournament winning. Kenny remained strong through his battle with angiosarcoma, demonstrating maturity and peacefulness, while maintaining his sense of comedic satire. He is missed by those who knew him.
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Photos of Ken Jr., his family, and friends
Messages from Kenny's friends:
"Kenny was my best friend growing up.
He always treated me with respect like a true friend should. He was like a brother to me and I'll never forget that. I regret not being closer to Kenny after hearing about his diagnosis, but seeing all of those that have supported him and carried on his memory and legacy are a reminder that he was loved by so many people.
It is a testament to his character and his unwavering loyalty that his memory lives on so strong. Kenny's compassion and kindness should serve as a model for how everyone should treat one another on a daily basis.
To this day, when there's an obstacle or struggle I'm facing, I think of Kenny and I know that I can get through whatever stands in my way."
- Matt Pagirsky, 2013, best friend since childhood
It is a testament to his character and his unwavering loyalty that his memory lives on so strong. Kenny's compassion and kindness should serve as a model for how everyone should treat one another on a daily basis.
To this day, when there's an obstacle or struggle I'm facing, I think of Kenny and I know that I can get through whatever stands in my way."
- Matt Pagirsky, 2013, best friend since childhood
"I think about Kenny every single day. |
"Kenny, |
"I remember that Kenny and I used to play Super Nintendo...
at both of our houses and that we sometimes had to compete for the TV when NASCAR was on. I am truly sorry for the loss of someone who we all cared about. I wish you the best of luck and success with the scholarship you are starting in his name."
- Lawrence L. Hallock Jr., Childhood friend
- Lawrence L. Hallock Jr., Childhood friend
"Ken, I don’t know why I’m writing on your wall, and if you were here you’d probably chuckle and call me an idiot.
There’s not a day go by that I don’t think of you, Ken, whether its memories of us going to lollapooloza or toilet papering our best friend’s house where I almost ran over… you know who. I love you, Ken, and I miss you very much."
- Courtney Judge, friend from South Side High School
"Kenny Pribil, I remember we sat together in art class - we made fun of everything and laughed way too much. It was good times. I hope you’re at peace." |
Kenny, I love you and miss you dearly. Rest in peace."
- Jackie Morreale, sister |
"I knew Kenny through high school; we sat next to each other in a couple art classes. I remember 11th grade he chose to do all his projects on psychology and the mind. I remembered him being incredibly intelligent, and at the same time, the one memory that sticks out furthest in my mind- was Kenny's laugh. He laughed constantly, and had the ability to make all of us laugh to the point where it hurt. Even though we only had a few classes together, I remember him being good company. The ability to put people in a good spirits came so natural to him."
- Jessica Roseboom, friend from South Side High School
“When I heard the news a while ago...
about how Ken didn't enroll for the fall 2005 semester because of his sickness I was upset about it. He talked to me about visiting Albany for a weekend or more to hang out with me and some of his other poker friends but we never got around to it. It pains me to hear about his passing away and to know that it happened to a poker player whose skill I had a great admiration and respect for. Ken and I never hung out outside of our poker games, but I'm not hesitant to say that we enjoyed our fair share of conversation and good laughs during the in between of hands being dealt at the poker table. Sometimes when he came over on a Friday or Saturday night to play cards in my dorm, he'd sit down in my room and play poker on my computer or play video games on the TV in my room enjoying the interactive fast paced action that's available to the new generation of video gamers. From what I know about Ken outside of poker, he was a very good student and held ranking in scholarship/academic groups. Truly a friend of Ken's,”
- Hevad Khan, friend from SUNY Albany and fellow poker player
- Hevad Khan, friend from SUNY Albany and fellow poker player
"I was on ski team with Ken. I can't say much but he was one of the biggest optimists I have ever met. The sky could be raining down fire and he'd still be talking for hours about poker with a smile on his face. He was just one of those guys who was always happy, always having a good time." |
"I met Ken freshmen year and we used to play poker together. He was a great guy. God bless you, Snuff. You will be greatly missed." |
"I knew Kenny mainly from Wilson summer camp-both as LITs, and later leaders. Kenny was always easy going, loved to have fun, and never seemed to get stressed out, or worried like some of us would. It was as if he just knew not to worry about the smaller things in life because in the long run they just aren't important and something to fuss over.
Overall, he was just a great guy, and friend who will truly be missed."
- Loramarie Muratore, friend from South Side High School and RVC Recreation Center
"I didn't know him for that long, but I'm so glad that I knew Kenny at all because he was always smiling and joking. I know he was a good person and he was always willing to lend a hand- he always said that to me."
- Ricky Mosback, friend from SUNY Albany
“I first became friends with Kenny when I was thirteen years old-
I took most of those years for granted without ever realizing just how fortunate that I was to have such a great friend as Kenny.
So when only several months ago when I heard that Kenny had cancer, a lot of things began to fall into place. I realized how lucky I was to know someone who was not only extremely mature for his age and had a variety of talents, such as skiing and scuba diving, but also was such a genuinely good human being.
Over the very last few months that I was able to spend with Kenny, be it in the Hamptons with a bunch of other great guys who I never would have met had it not been for Kenny, or simply talking to him online or on the phone, I began to fear just how much I could lose if he were to pass away. I think that being able to spend that time together even if it was only for a few days and even if the plans did not work out the way we wanted them to was still some of the best moments for not only Kenny but for me and everyone else.
I imagine that if I were to able to talk to him now he would tell me not to take this too hard but to try to live in the present with a good attitude. I hope now that everyday when I get out of bed and look in the mirror that I'll be able to be even half as strong as he was both in the middle of his life, when I first met him, and towards the end when I had no choice but to say goodbye.”
– Dan Greenbaum, best friend from SSHS
So when only several months ago when I heard that Kenny had cancer, a lot of things began to fall into place. I realized how lucky I was to know someone who was not only extremely mature for his age and had a variety of talents, such as skiing and scuba diving, but also was such a genuinely good human being.
Over the very last few months that I was able to spend with Kenny, be it in the Hamptons with a bunch of other great guys who I never would have met had it not been for Kenny, or simply talking to him online or on the phone, I began to fear just how much I could lose if he were to pass away. I think that being able to spend that time together even if it was only for a few days and even if the plans did not work out the way we wanted them to was still some of the best moments for not only Kenny but for me and everyone else.
I imagine that if I were to able to talk to him now he would tell me not to take this too hard but to try to live in the present with a good attitude. I hope now that everyday when I get out of bed and look in the mirror that I'll be able to be even half as strong as he was both in the middle of his life, when I first met him, and towards the end when I had no choice but to say goodbye.”
– Dan Greenbaum, best friend from SSHS
