Joseph Kurilecz, Jr.

Joseph Kurilecz, Jr., a fifty year resident of Ossining, NY, WW 2 veteran, loving husband and father and a friend to many passed away on January 23, 2015 in Quincy, MA.

He was born on October 20, 1922 in Yonkers, NY to Joseph and Mary Kurilecz (deceased).  He was the third child after his sisters Margaret and Anna who pre-deceased him.

In 1948 he married his wife Gloria (Liswith) –(deceased) who passed away just 4 days short of their 60th anniversary.  They had one son, Joseph M. Kurilecz who lives in Arlington, MA.

“Big Joe” is survived by his brother in-law Carl Liswith and his wife Marian and his three nephews Mitchell, Steven and Ted and their families. He leaves behind many friends from the Boston area including Lisa, Sophie and the D’Angelo family, Stephanie, Hoagie, Mark and John.

Mr. Kurilecz graduated from Yonkers High School and attended college at the University of Wisconsin before enlisting in the United States Army Air Corp serving in the 7th, 20th and USASTAF Air Forces.

Trained as a meteorologist then assigned to aerial gunnery school in Las Vegas,

he was chosen to go to Hawaii to attend jungle training school.  He participated in the invasion of Saipan followed by Tinian, where they prepared for the arrival of an unknown B-29 that changed the course of the war. He finished his service on Okinawa, in anticipation of the invasion of Japan, before returning home on the battleship USS West Virginia.  Mr. Kurilecz received three battle stars and was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Known as “88” during his caddy days and as “the Baron” after he graduated from Fordham and received his MBA at NYU, he spent his career working for General Foods as the Manager-Federal Tax Examinations and retired in 1988.

He served as Treasurer of Boy Scout Troop 82 and the Ossining Little League. “Pop Sclertz” thrilled many Ossining High School athletes in the mid- seventies with his end of season press clipping compilations. He attended many Ossining football, hockey and lacrosse games. After his retirement, he volunteered with the Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corp as a riding member and served on the Board of Directors.  Joe collected a variety of Asian antiques with his wife, while cheering for the Giants and Notre Dame football. He enjoyed gardening and cultivating Bonsai trees.

The family will receive friends on Monday, February 2, 2015 from 4 to 8 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at 10 AM, St. Theresa Church, Briarcliff Manor, NY.Burial will be in the family plot in Gate of Heaven cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps, P.O. Box 523 Ossining, NY 10562 or the Norwell VNA and Hospice, 120 Longwater Drive Norwell, MA 02061.

Waterbury&Kelly Funeral Home

1300 Pleasantville Road

Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510

914-941-1600

www.waterburykelly.com

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