Gregory Kucera

Long-time Anchorage resident Gregory B. Kucera passed away peacefully last Friday, Nov. 16, 2012 at the age of 52, with his family at his side.

Gregory was born on August 29, 1960 in Klamath Falls, OR, to Donald and Nancy Kucera. He was raised in Klamath Falls on the family farm, N.D. Dairy. He told his parents he thought the farm was "worse than Green Acres," but also that it was on the farm that he learned the value of hard work, and the importance of family.

Gregory graduated from Henley High School in 1978, and moved to Kennewick, WA to live with his Aunt Imogene and Uncle Keith Pulliam. He began his career as an Ironworker working on the Hanford Nuclear Power Plant at the encouragement of his uncle, becoming a journeyman Ironworker on October 15, 1982 with his best friend Chuck Faulders. The two men worked briefly in Seattle, before moving to Anchorage later in 1982 and joining with the Ironworkers Local 751.

He met his wife, Susan on April 12, 1982, via mutual friends at a party. They were married four years later on April 12, 1986.

Gregory went to work for Meehleis Steel, Inc. in the summer of 1983. His first job in Anchorage was as a foreman on Spenard Road. The company's owner, Mark Meehleis, said that he contacted the union hall for a foreman, and that Gregory responded to the dispatch. Meehleis said that it wasn't until later that Gregory admitted that he had never before acted as a foreman, but no one else had answered the call. His willingness to step up to a challenge, and his commitment to completing a project set him apart from other Ironworkers throughout the rest of his career.

He went on to contribute to several major construction projects throughout Alaska, including the Anchorage Courthouse, the Ted Stevens International Airport, the Anchorage Marriott Hotel, Providence Alaska Medical Center, the UAA Science Center, the Alyeska Hotel and Tram in Girdwood, the Fort Knox Gold Mine in Fairbanks, the Knik Arm Bridge on the Glenn Highway and the Canyon Creek Bridge on the Seward Highway.

Gregory continued working for the Ironworkers Local 751, becoming a Trustee 11 years ago. He was appointed to the position of Business Manager, Financial Secretary and Treasurer in Spring 2005. As such, he oversaw all aspects of Local 751-negotiating contracts and collective bargaining agreements, managing finances, organizing labor, and serving as a delegate on several boards and committees on behalf of the local. He also volunteered to serve on numerous other community boards, and volunteered the Ironworkers to help on community service projects or participate in fundraising activities around Alaska. His commitment to the Ironworkers and union labor earned him tremendous respect not only from his fellow Ironworkers, but from the local contractors, other trade representatives, lobbyists and legislators with whom he worked. He was re-elected to serve a third term on Oct. 12, 2012.

He is survived by both of his parents; his wife; his sister Carol; his brother Rod; his three children: Lindsay, 24, Alex, 22, and Victoria, 17, as well as numerous other family and friends.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church on Oceanview Drive.