Charles F. Kucinski, Sr.

74 years just wasn't long enough for Charles Francis ("Chuck") Kucinski Sr., who passed away peacefully on March 28th, 2017, his family with him throughout his final days and around him at the end. Born on November 5, 1942 in Philadelphia, PA, he lived in the Polish section of Manayunk with his family and attended St Josephat School until the 10th grade. In the 50s he worked as clerk at Roxborough Memorial Hospital in the 1950s where he worked embossing patient information on bills using an old addressograph machine and serving as an underage beer runner for hospital's nursing school students. He graduated from Roxborough High School in 1960 where he soon enlisted in the United States Air Force.

A cold War era veteran, he was a multi-decorated Airman 1st Class who worked as a Bomb Navigation Systems Base, Texas. He and his unit was later dispatched to Little Rock AFB, where in October 1962, along with his fellow airman he was responsible to prepare and arm 13 of his beloved B-58 bombers (the world's first supersonic bomber) for a possible mission to Cuba that thankfully never happened.

After fulfilling his duty for his country, for which he was so proud, and following his from active duty in 1965, armed with only a high school degree and a bunch of Air Force electrical and electronic training, he embarked on a wonderful 40-year career journey as a Field, Branch, and Functional Manager for "Big Blue" IBM.

In 1966, he made what he often referred to as the best decision of his life by persuing Theresa Mary Falcone who he said he and his father would "coincidentally" see each week in the local grocery store. As she was seeing someone at the time (a friend of his no less), he waited until she was unattached to court her. He said it was something you didn't do to friends.

After a year-long engagement, they were married on September 16, 1967 and started their life together in Philadelphia where they welcomed three children into their lives, (their little girl) Danielle in 1968, Chucky in 1970 (Mom's favorite) and their baby girl in 1974 (Tara).

Though his career path took the Kucinski five from one place to another, from Philadelphia to Alexandria, Virginia to Lansing, Michigan, he finally settled the family in Endicott, New York, where for 37 years he proceeded to make a wonderful life for himself and his family, making the huge sacrifice (in the eyes of his children) setting aside his own corporate upward career mobility for their happiness and stability - allowing them all to finish High School - for which they will always be eternally grateful.

He continued his love of computers and technology well into his retirement years, and along with an affinity for personal computers, he held a funny and fond love of shareware software programs in his eternal search for that magic program that could do just what he needed.

His eternal loves included his Kielbasa, his mother-in-law's Italian Wedding (Little Meatball) Soup, his '66 Charger, his grandchildren, and more recently his Baked Ziti Russo from Mama Guiseppa's. His favorite and "best decision he ever made," was his Wife of 49 years Theresa (nee Falcone).

Though we are brokenhearted, Chuck/Dad/Pop/Uncle Chuck/Pop Pop is survived by his wife, three children (Danielle, Chuck Jr., and Tara), sons-in law (Scott and David), daughter-in-law (Fern), eight grandchildren (Benjamin, Jared, Lucas, Joey, Jake, Gracie, Cole, and Peyton), his sister, and his many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his Mother (Veronica), Father (Charles) and his Big Brother (Anthony).

At his request, a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 819 Cathedral Rd. Philadelphia, PA, on Monday April 3, 2017 at 11 a.m. with visitation at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass. He will be laid to rest at Westminster Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please donate generously to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Donate so we can destroy this dreaded disease. We chose not to discuss his MS, heart disease, failure, or any other illness or ailment in general as it deserved no place in my Fathers' obituary, his life, or this world.  Share condolences at www.kollerfuneralhome.com.

FLORISTS:  Flowers may be delivered to Church on Monday between the hours of 8:30AM and 9:00AM.