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George Kukar Obituary
The man who started the famous Kukar's House of Pizza in San Jose passed away last Friday 11/26/04 due to natural causes. Born June 17, 1917 in San Luis Obispo, he came to San Jose as an infant with his brother Jack and two sisters Rose and Josephine. As a kid he sold newspapers on the corners of downtown San Jose and picked fruit to help his family through the depression.
In WWII, he served two terms for our country as a merchant marine. As part of the war effort, he went to Pearl Harbor, Guam, and Japan. Then he worked for San Jose Steel and started the Kukar's House of Pizza in 1950. Working two jobs was extremely difficult and it didn't get easier as the years progressed. The city ended up moving the restaurant twice due to eminent domain. Despite the obstacles, George persevered by coming back even stronger. After a total of 5 mortgages which almost cost him everything, he bought the property at 527 Almaden where the House of Pizza is located today. The House of Pizza has received several awards including the "Bay Area's Best Pizza" by the San Jose Mercury News and the "Best South Bay Pizza" from KPIX's Evening Magazine. George was a registered Costanoan-Ohlone Indian and touched everyone he ever met.
He is survived by his loving wife Alice of 41 years and their children Joan, George, Sandy, & Patty. He is also survived by his first wife Eugene and their children Georgene & Kathy. In total, he has 11 grandchildren (Jonathan, Valerie, Allison, Michael, Katie, Olivia, Laurie, Lane, Lonnie, Landee, and Thomas) and 3 great-grandchildren (Amanda, Jacob, and Tommy). George will be truly missed by all his family & friends.
A viewing will be held Thursday Dec 2, 2004 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at OAK HILL FUNERAL HOME. Funeral Services will be held Friday Dec. 3, 2004 at 11 a.m. at Oak Hill Funeral Home's Chapel of the Roses. The public is invited.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for George Kukar
Sandy
September 12, 2024
Miss you Dad
Leah Amler
January 22, 2021
Thank you fot donating the watching of such fine classic movies. We appreciate in your memory.
becky torres
December 7, 2004
To the family of Mr. Kukar, my prayers our with you. Mr. Kukar was truly a special person very kind and loving. He will be missed and I know he'll be watching over all his loved ones. God Bless you all
Becky
Richard K. Glimski
December 3, 2004
George and family,our sympathy and our deepest condolences are with all of you and your family at this time of great loss.Rick, Coleton, and Chelcy Glimski.
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Anselmo Escobar
December 2, 2004
He was a nice man I met him in 1976 before I got married and all my children have enjoyed his company over the years. When he was being relocated I would go to a small location he opened on Alum Rock Road. He always made me feel welcome and that anything was possible.
Anselmo/Cecilia Escobar and Family
Los Gatos.
Tonna (Portera) Haw
December 1, 2004
Dear Ones, I loved him and love you too. Distance keeps me away but my heart, thoughts and prayers are with all of you. An icon of San Jose, a legacey to a generation. We shall remember him always, and miss him him even more. love Tonna
billy pritchett
December 1, 2004
Goerge and family,
Ours prayers and sympathy are with you and your family at this time. God Bless
Ross & Marie Hernandez
December 1, 2004
Our condolences to the Kukar Family.
May God Bless you all. He was a good man.
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