Kuhar, John Jr.
Contents
Birth
Education
Occupation
Marriage & Children
Death
Obituary
John Kuhar Jr. RENSSELAERVILLE — John Kuhar Jr., a United States Navy veteran and helicopter builder, was remembered this week as being jolly. “He loved to eat,” said his niece, Rosemarie Kuhar. “He lived for mealtime. He’d never miss a clam steam, or a chicken barbecue, or a steak roast. He’d go to all those events that surrounding communities would have.” Mr. Kuhar died on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012, at the Guilderland Center Nursing Home. He was 88. Born in Stratford, Conn. on Oct. 28, 1923, he was the son of the late John Kuhar Sr. and Suzanna (Casper) Kuhar. Mr. Kuhar was a graduate of Greenville Central Schools, and served in the Navy during World War II. He received the American Theater, Asiatic Pacific, and Victory medals. He later worked as a machinist at Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. where he met his wife-to-be, Mary Swatkowski. They wed on Sept. 16, 1961. “They got married in Pennsylvania, in a Russian Orthodox wedding,” his niece said, “which, in my memory as a 10- or 11-year-old, was like a three-day party — much different than the weddings we have around here.” Mr. Kuhar was a former member of the Rensselaerville Volunteer Fire Company, and the Rensselaerville Rod and Gun Club. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. “All of his nieces and nephews got to go deep-sea fishing with him,” said Rosemarie Kuhar, “and it’s an experience none of us forgot, because most of us got seasick,” she laughed, recalling the trip to Block Island, R.I. Mr. Kuhar also loved gardening. “He had absolutely beautiful gardens around his house,” his niece said. “He took gladioluses to the meetings with the seniors. He had a vegetable garden, but his flowers were his pride and joy.”
Mr. Kuhar is survived by his wife, Mary (Swatkowski) Kuhar; a sister, Marie Bogue; his nieces: Rosemarie Kuhar, Nancy Dempster, Jane Coutant, Beverly Nearhood, and Susan Brace; his nephews: Barry Kuhar, and Dennis and Jeffrey Bogue; and his sister-in-law, Ann Kuhar. His brothers, William, James, and Thomas Kuhar, died before him, as did his nephew, Michael Kuhar. A funeral service was held on Wednesday, Sept. 12, at the A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home in Greenville. Relatives and friends called at the funeral home prior to the service. Interment followed in the Rensselaerville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rensselaerville Volunteer Fire Company, 4990 Delaware Turnpike, Rensselaerville, NY 12147; or the Rensselaerville Rescue Squad. Condolences may be left online at ajcunninghamfh.com. — Zach Simeone
- Altamont Enterprise - September 13, 2012
Additional Media
Sources
