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Karl Kaminski Obituary
Karl A. Kaminski, 73, passed away suddenly on August 21, 2013, from complications of lung cancer that had been diagnosed just weeks prior.
Born in Shenandoah, PA Karl was the son of the late Alfred R. Cummings and Clara Grow Kaminski. Karl received his MA degree in education from West Chester State University, and went on to teach in De La Warr High School and later retired from Delcastle Vo-Tech High School after 37 years of service. After his retirement he enjoyed his time as a member of the British Car Club of Delaware and the Newark Lions Club. He also loved participating as a host family sponsor for the English Language Institute students of the University of Delaware.
Karl is survived by his wife, Karen of 25 years; son, Michael G. Kaminski, step-sons, Kevin and Kyle Crocco; daughters, Dana Smith, Meagan Znorowski; step-daughter, Kerri Crocco and 8 grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 28th at 11:00am at St. John the Baptist, East Main and North Chapel Sts., Newark, DE, where family and friends may visit from 10:00 to 11:00am. Inurnment will follow in All Saints Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of Karl to the American Lung Association of Delaware, 630 Churchman's Rd., Suite 202, Newark, DE 19702 or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Delaware Chapter, 100 West 10th St., Wilmington, DE 19801.
To offer condolences, visit
www.dohertyfh.com
302-999-8277
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Karl Kaminski
Vickie Jones Snyder
October 3, 2013
My condolences to Karen Kaminski and the family. Karl Kaminski...hard to sum up in a few words. As we celebrate this October 26th with a DeLaWarr Alumni Reunion, we cannot forget that Karl Kaminski was always the first to respond to attend each and every reunion. He was always the life of the party and a bigger kid than we were. He could always be found on the dance floor with his beautiful wife, Karen, or with one of his many students from his many years at DeLaWarr. He has been very generous with our Reunion Committes and donated much memoriabelia in the past from yearbooks to scrapbooks he kept as a coach. We will truly miss Karl Kaminski, but I am sure he will forever be at every reunion in spirit and dancing with the Angels from De La Warr whom he has joined. He was a wonderful caring teacher as a student and became a good friend as an adult. He will forever be in the hearts of his students and all those who crossed his path.He had such a great life and I am sure the celebration of his life will go on forever. Vickie Jones Snyder De La Warr Class of 1968.
Peggy Weaver-Johnson
September 2, 2013
I had the pleasure of Mr. K being my POD teacher at DeLaWarr -Class of 69. He was my favorite teacher from the way he conducted our class to the way he interacted with his students. I thought of him often and wondered if he ever knew how he impacted all of us. Rest in Peace Mr. K and God Bless his family.
September 1, 2013
Sorry to hear of Karl's passing. Karl was a warm, kind, and generous person. He loved working with his students and was always available to help others. Condolences to his family!
Steve Godowsky
Crystal Harrah-Talarowski
August 31, 2013
I am so sorry for your loss Mr. Kaminsky was a teacher of mine from James Grove High School he truly was a gem patient & kind to his students gone but not forgotten RIP!!!
Doug Ford
August 29, 2013
I was a student of Mr. Kaminski in 10th grade. As a young man, I watched him handle a difficult situation in our class. He was one of my three favorite teachers all through school. It humbles me to have been able to seem him and reminisce of his years teaching and molding young minds. I am deeply saddened to hear of his passing. He will be missed by many of us. God Bless! May his family be blessed during these difficult times.
Don Dzielak
August 27, 2013
De La Warr High had a lot of good teachers and Mr. Kaminski was there at the top. Had great times in his class as a student. Also had the pleasure of meeting him again at the plaque ceremony a couple of years ago. My condolences to his wife and family.
Don Dzielak "Class of 1967"
August 27, 2013
I am so sorry for your loss. May your special memories of your great romance help ease your grief.
Liz Haines
August 27, 2013
Karl's wit, teasing humor, generosity & inspiration will be sorely missed @ British Car Club events. Karl prepared all year long for hosting our annual Christmas Party at the Stone Barn. He was the most generous man giving little gifts to everyone. To a dear friend...we love you, miss you & will see you in Heaven. With sincere condolences to Karen and his family.
Barbara (BJ) Lawrence - Plath
August 27, 2013
My thoughts are with you and your family. There are not enough words in the dictionary to describe what a great person Karl was. I had the priviledge of being a 1990 graduate of Delcastle and then becoming a colleague in "94" and them most importantly becoming great friends with Karl once I left Delcastle. My heart aches and I will miss him dearly (especially his jokes)! God Bless
Nailah Jervey
August 27, 2013
I only had a short time with Mr. Kaminski,
(Water gun fights and tomatoes
Honey do-lists stories and jokes filled with laughter), are just some of our interactions.
Yet within that time he impacted my life greatly as a new teacher. At the time of his retirement he was thoughtful and caring to give me some of his sick days, to help me stay home with my newborn daughter in 2002. He was so meticulous in making sure his retirement wouldn't interfere with me receiving those days. He had a big heart and a loving spirit. I was anticipating seeing him this fall at the Delcastle Retired Teachers Reunion he would organize. I enjoyed his stories, jokes and advise. I will never forget you Mr. Kaminski!
Stanley Bailey
August 26, 2013
My Deepest Sympathy to the family for your loss. He was a great teacher and gentleman to all.
August 26, 2013
Mr.K was a good P.O.D. teacher he was mine at DE LA WARR 1967. GOD BLESS HIS FAMILY. Howard L. Wilson JR.
Joy
August 26, 2013
He was a great teacher! Such a pleasure to know him.
Buck Dobon
August 26, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with Karl's family and friends. God bless you all.
Marci Colon (Will)
August 26, 2013
I'm so sorry for your loss.
I wanted to share a story that I have always remember of Mr. Kaminski, I had him for my senior year of high school. I hadn't studied for the test so I came up with the idea that I would write the answers on a tissue and pretend as if I had a cold. Well Mr. Kaminski caught me, he grabbed the tissue out of my hand and opened it up to see that I was cheating. He started dancing around the classroom and taped the tissue on the board for everyone else to see that I got caught cheating. Needless to say I got a zero on the test and a great memory of him. My prayers got out to you in your time of grief.
Mike and Judi Shockley
August 26, 2013
It was a pleasure knowing you Karl. You had such a positive impact on so many students lives. Rest in peace our friend.
Jenny Mercy Smith
August 26, 2013
R.I.P. Uncle Karl. We will be dearly missed
Jen & Julio daPonte
August 26, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers for peace are with you all.
Ana Maria Duarte
August 26, 2013
Dear Papa, I will always remember you with cheerfulness.
So, I hope you're delighting every angel in heaven with your joy!
Always in my heart,
Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep.
Stella Callanan (Atkins)
August 26, 2013
My deepest sympathy to Mrs. K and family in your loss.
Mr. K. was a wonderful teacher and friend to many at DeLaWarr Class of 68. God Bless.
Kathy Long
August 26, 2013
R.I.P. You will be missed. condolences to the family.
Lena Gilkey
August 25, 2013
I'll never forget our senior trip to New York to the World's Fair in 1965. Mr. Kaminski was on our bus, dancing to " Louie, Louie", on our way home. I didn't have him for a teacher, but he was the kind of teacher that everyone knew, and said hello to in the halls. He will be sadly missed. God bless him. Class of '66
Wynonah Steele
August 25, 2013
Sorry for the family's loss My sincere condolences. I had him in my senior year at Delcastle class of 76. He was an awesome teacher. I remember him saying if you write down everything on the board, you will pass this class. He certainly was a well loved teacher. I did receive an "A" from his class, which earned me an honor roll award with a 3.85 average. Thank you Mr. Kaminski for touching and shaping so many lives...Rest In Peace
Stewart Rafert
August 25, 2013
Karl Kaminski was a great collegue in the glory years of teaching 9th graders at the old Marshallton annexe of Delcastle from the early 1980s to the mid-90s. Karl always had a smile, good advice, stayed steady, and met life with a wonderful realism and humor. He could empathize with every type of person and was simply a great human being. It was a gift and privilege to be in his presence.
Pat Ferguson
August 25, 2013
Mr. K was a cool teacher had him for P.O.D. in 66. Always had a smile. God Bless
Erin Burdett
August 25, 2013
A teacher I will never forget! Definitely kept things interesting! Rest in peace Mr. Kaminski:(
Class of 1998 Delcastle
Jackie McDonough-Horgan
August 25, 2013
Was in the class of '59 Chichester.
August 25, 2013
Karl: Good teacher Good friend! You always had a good EAR and would listen to me cry after a tough loss in B-Ball. You were a students friend and teacher. Rest in Peace, My friend Coach Lou DiMascio
Donna DiMarco
August 25, 2013
Mr K was the coolest person, teacher. I had him for POD right after lunch. He knew we snuck out to lunch but never said anything, he would just give you the look. So sorry to hear of his passing. May his soul rest in peace & May God hold his family in the palm of his hands . Beauty Culture Class of '77
August 25, 2013
So sorry to hear about the passing of Mr K. May God be with Mr Kaminski's family. He was an AWESOME POD teacher @ Delcastle. Many nice memories of the class of '77! Mr K rest in peace
August 25, 2013
Mr. Kaminski is the only teacher I honestly remember in 1965. He was a great guy and a man ahead of the times. Forever remembered as a great man. Rest in Pease and God Bless you. Christine Mele and Rufus Barnes.
David Pody
August 25, 2013
Mike will be missed at Delcastle and in Japan, but he will be welcome in heaven.
Mike Grieco
August 25, 2013
God Bless and God Loves to Karl and his family To another brother that I had found and will remember. I enjoyed his humor and love for LBC
Lori Corbin-Lockwood
August 25, 2013
Sorry to hear of the loss. He was a great teacher..I had the pleasure my freshman year for social studies.
Terry Gommer
August 25, 2013
Rest in Peace, Mr. Kaminski. Your were one of the best teachers I had at DeLaWarr High School. You made learning POD a breeze. Thank you for always being there when I needed to talk. You were a great listener as well as a teacher. You will be remembered always. My thoughts and prayers to Mrs. Kaminski and the rest of your family.
Teresa (Terry) Shaffer-Gommer (Class of 70 - DeLaWarr High School)
Billie Lea (Mann) Wilson
August 25, 2013
I am so very sorry to learn of Mr Kaminski's passing. He was one of my favorite teachers at DeLaWarr HS Class of 1968.
May God surround you with His love and mercy during this time of loss.
Sarah Warrington (Sowers)
August 25, 2013
Very sorry to hear the passing of Mr. Kaminski,he was my P.O.D. teacher at DeLaWarr High School class of 1970. Condolences to the family.
Evelyn Walter-Riley
August 25, 2013
Mr. Kaminski was a great teacher! He was my Freshman Year Social Studies Teacher at the Marshallton Building and had the pleasure of seeing him in the halls when he moved over to Delcastle main building. He knew every kid's name and was nice, funny, and kind. This is evidently one teacher who made an impact! He will be missed.
Margie & John Truitt
August 25, 2013
Karen, we are so sad to hear of Karl's passing. We won't be able to be there in person, but will be praying for you. With deepest sympathy.
Brooke Rupard
August 25, 2013
You will be missed by many.. You were the only teacher I had at Delcastle that let me get away with things. You treated the class of 1995 with great respect and told us the way things were. R.I.P.
David Casey
August 25, 2013
Mr. Kaminski had a very distinct style of teaching the really sunk in. I was a instructed by Mr. Kaminski in 1998.You will be missed but never forgotten.
Kenneth Hess
August 25, 2013
I never had Mr.K as a teacher but like a lot of teachers always knew all of the Hess's by name and made an attempt to get to know you on a friendly bases.
Kenn '71
August 25, 2013
What a great teacher Mr. Kaminski was. Always enjoyed his class. He taught my sister and myself... class of 93 and 96. May he rest in peace!
Trevor Mees
August 25, 2013
Goodbye Karl. You will be sadly missed by all your friends in the British Car Club of Delaware. Betty & Trevor
Dante Giammarco
August 25, 2013
Karl was one of the kindest, most generous people I've ever known. His sense of humor was quick and wicked, and his ability to enjoy life was unmatched. We shared many wonderful
experiences, including tennis, softball, spirited games of spades, and unforgettable parties. Whether the host or a guest, Karl was always the man who made everyone comfortable and made us all laugh. His one-liners were legendary. We appeared in plays together, took vacations together, and shared a closeness that never waned no matter how far away we were. I loved him like a brother.
August 25, 2013
So sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Kaminski. He taught me at Delcastle (class of 1980). Great teacher! Loved his class. May he Rest in Peace!
August 25, 2013
Karl and Family,
I have fond memories of you and
you will surely be missed at the
many monthly lunches at Duffers.
May you RIP.
Shirley Lees Sleva,
Class of 57 at Chichester High School
Boothwyn, Pa
Debbie (Wilson) Camponelli
August 25, 2013
I'm sorry to hear of Mr. Kaminski's passing. He was one of the teacher's in your life that you never forget. May God continue to bless your loved ones. You were quite a teacher!
arleen summers
August 24, 2013
I know you will be sadly missed, you were one of my favorite teachers (class of 77), I have very often thought of you. my condolences to the family
Donna Hurd-Stanley
August 24, 2013
Always had a blast in his class...former student Delcastle Vo-tech High School Beauty Culture Class of 77
Robb Mahan
August 24, 2013
Mr. Kaminski you will be missed. Many fond memories of your teaching me in 1989 at Delcastle. My condolences to your family.
JoAnne "Joey" Forbes Des Moines
August 24, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Bill & Patti Berry
August 24, 2013
Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever. Your friends from DeLaWarr High School.
Ted Boone
August 24, 2013
Great Teacher
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