Frank Kukelka

Mr. Frank Joseph Kukelka of Middletown, NY died Thursday, June 15, 2023 at Garnet Health Medical Center with his family by his side. He was 87. He was born December 10, 1935 in Paterson, NJ the son of the late Joseph Kukelka and the late Anna Witkowski Kukelka. Frank was happily married to Joan Pawliczak in the St. Joseph's Church in Florida, NY on October 7, 1961. Frank proudly served during the Post Korean War in the United States Army in Korea from 1958 to 1960. He worked as a butcher for Shop Rite for 30 years before retiring. Frank was a member of Holy Cross R.C. Church in South Centerville for many years as well as the Umpires Association of Orange County. He was known to be an All-Star pitcher for the Greenville Fire Department and carried on his love for sports by sharing his knowledge through coaching the Minisink Little League, youth football, Minisink Valley High School Softball, Port Jervis Pop Warner and Little League baseball.
A family statement read: A great husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather who loved and cherished his family. He was the sweetest, most selfless person we could have asked for, no one remembers him every being mad. He had a great sense of humor and always happy and smiling. He was always there for his children and grandchildren. No matter where he had to travel or what time of day it was he would drop everything to go above and beyond for all of them, never missing one practice, game, or recital. He was an amazing Polka dancer, who loved to twirl his beautiful bride Joan around on the dance floor. Three words that seem to fit him are God, Family, Country, always in that order. He will be deeply missed.
Surviving are: His loving wife Joan Kukelka, Two daughters Lori Sexton and her husband Tom, and Robin Fohl and her husband Kurt, 3 siblings, William Kukelka and his wife Judy, Mary Ann Peters, and Caroline Smith, Grandchildren Matthew Sexton and his wife Maria, Tanner Sexton and his wife Jessica, Amanda Ng and her husband Anthony, Saige Fohl and Rebecca Fohl, Great-grandchildren Grayson Sexton and Ava Ng. Brothers-in-Law and Sisters-In-Law: Marian Kobylaski, Eleanor Pawliczak, George and Ruth Pawliczak, Frances and Robert Browzoski, Betty and Robert Regelski, and Adele and Steve Grzywaczewski and many nieces and nephews. Frank is predeceased by his loving Brothers-in-Law and Sisters-in-Law: Roy Smith, Alan Peters, Ken and Rose Morgiewicz, Theresa and Joseph Leonardo, Val and Theresa Pawliczak, Leonard Pawliczak, Bernadette and Floyd Myruski, Vincent Pawliczak, Matilda and Vincent Barczak, Edmund and Mildred Pawliczak and Fred Kobylaski.
Friends and family are invited to visit the Gray-Parker Funeal Home, Inc., 100 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY 12771 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm and 5:00pm to 7:00pm on Monday, June 19, 2023. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 11:00 am at the Holy Cross R.C. Church, 626 County Rt 22, Middletown, NY 10940 with Rev. Michael Palazzo officiating. Burial to follow in the Orange County Veterans Cemetery, Goshen, NY.
Memorial contributions in Frank's name may be made to St. Jude's Children Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or NKH Crusaders, mail checks to: 122 Biscayne Ave, Weymouth, MA 02188. Funeral arrangements are by the GRAY-PARKER FUNERAL HOME, 100 E. Main St., Port Jervis. 845-856-5191 For more information, directions, or to send a condolence note to the family please visit www.grayparkerfuneralhome.com.