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Steve Kuljis Obituary
November 26, 1928 - November 2, 2023
Bellingham, Washington - Born on November 26, 1928, in Bellingham, WA to Martin and Amanda (Stanovich) Kuljis, Steve passed away in Bellingham on November 2, 2023.
Steve grew up at the small family home on 12th Street in Fairhaven and attended Lowell Elementary School, Fairhaven Middle School, Bellingham High School, and Western Washington University. He was very active in sports and played both basketball and baseball. Steve was a standout local pitcher and enjoyed playing for the Bellingham Bells and the semi-pro Rainiers. He fished salmon in local waters and in Alaska before starting the wholesale seafood processing company, Sea K Fish, in Blaine, WA with his brother Martin and friend George Costello. Later, the company expanded into San Francisco and was successful for many years there. Steve was an avid sports fan, attending as many high school, college, and pro games as he could. He loved golfing and was a member of Bellingham Golf and Country Club for 65 years. He enjoyed bowling when he was younger and was an Elks Club member and a Bellingham Yacht Club member. He was a lifetime member of Sacred Heart Church.
Steve was an outgoing, charismatic person who loved life. He led a very long, blessed, and prosperous life. Steve had a great many friends and was considered a blessing by his entire family.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Betty Kuljis in 2018, his brothers Martin (Bev, deceased) and Nick, and granddaughter Christina Cyr.
He is survived by his children, Teresa Kuljis, Tracey (Peter) Cannon, and Mark (Debbie) Kuljis; sister MaryAnn (Mat, deceased) Mallahan; grandchildren, Nathan (Neung) Vogts, Andrew (Larisa) Cyr, Jacob Kennedy Kuljis, and Claire Pearson; great-grandchildren, Natasha Vogts, Noelle and Ramona Cyr, and Austin and Emerson Pearson; and many nieces, nephews, close relatives, and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, November 16th, at 11am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (1110 14th Street). A Celebration of Life Reception will be held following the Mass at the Parish Hall across from the church.
Steve will be laid to rest at Bayview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice. Please share memories of Steve at www.westfordfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Steve Kuljis
Christy Brown
November 13, 2023
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Margaret Gazija
November 11, 2023
I am so sorry for your loss. Steve was a good friend and neighbor. I will always remember him with much fondness.
Paul martinis
November 11, 2023
I am so sorry to hear of Steve´s passing. It was enjoyable to visit with Steve and family at Birch Bay last summer reminiscing about fishing friends and relatives. Steve was well respected as a fishermen business man and sportsman. I am now residing in Palm Desert not far from were Steve walked the golf course at Bermuda Dunes
Paul Martinis
Boat Freeland
Ted Van Dyk
November 10, 2023
I knew Steve Kuljis mainly through his involvementt n sports. I was p.a. announcer for several years for the Bellingham Bells and saw Steve pitch often. Retired in Bellingham in recent years I saw Steve most often at funerals of people with whom we grew up. Always cordial, ready to talk, he radiated good will. The old guard passes but is not forgotten. RIP Steve Kuljis.
Denise kamschulte
November 9, 2023
Three generations of our family worked at SeaK fish. My mother often talks about her days on The fish filet line working alongside the owners, Martin and Steve Kuljis. Whenever Steve was in the fish house he always made his rounds and chatted with his employees. He and his partners were fair and treated the staff like an extended family.
My mother Velda has very fond memories of her many years working at Sea K fish. Our family sends sincere condolences to the entire Kuljis family during this hard time of loss .
Denise kamschulte
November 8, 2023
Mark my heart goes out to you during this time . Seeing your Dads photo in the obit made me sad cause I know you will miss him greatly . Thinking of you and your sisters too, as you grieve losing your Dad to heaven. Several family members starting with my grandmother back in the early 1970´s worked for Sea K fish.My mother Velda thought the world of Steve and Martin.
Mike Donnelly
November 8, 2023
Terri, Tracy, Mark, loved the time I worked for and knew your dad. Some really good seasons on the Terry K. Always a great guy. I´ll remember him and Betty fondly, as I do all of you.
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Memorial Events
for Steve Kuljis
Funeral services provided by:
Westford Funeral Home & Cremation Service1301 Broadway, Bellingham, WA 98225
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