James Kukon

06/09/1973 - 09/01/2025

James Kukon, 52, of Westampton passed away peacefully on Monday, September 1, 2025 surrounded by the love and comfort of his family. James was a devoted and loving husband, father, son, uncle, and friend. He will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
James was born in Princeton, NJ on June 9,1973 and grew up in Pennington NJ. He graduated from Hopewell Valley Central High School in 1991. James continued his education at Mercer County Community where he studied Engineering Graphics (Drafting & Design), made lifelong friendships, and graduated in 1996. James later settled in Westampton, building a home filled with love, laughter, and memories.
James dedicated himself to his work. He began his career at Lockheed-Martin working with thermal vacuums. He continued his career with thermal vacuums at Nasa-Goddard Space Flight Center. In 2000, he began his employment at Princeton University, where he was admired for his hard work, honesty, and the friendships he built along the way. Outside of work, he found joy in watching football - everyone knew his love for the Eagles - building and flying model airplanes with the WCRC Flying Club, Sunday family dinners, and going on family vacations. He had a gift for making everyday moments memorable, whether it was telling a great story, sharing a laugh, or simply enjoying the company of loved ones.
James was the heart of his family. He is predeceased by his father, John Kukon. He is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Vincenza Kukon (LoPresti) and his two beautiful children, Gabriella and John Luca, whom he adored and was very proud of, his mother, Helen Kukon, his father-in-law and mother-in-law Antonino and Marianna LoPresti, his brother-in-law Jerry LoPresti (and his wife, Jennifer), brother-in-law Salvatore LoPresti (and his wife, Deniela) and his brother, John Kukon. James was the fun and goofy uncle that his four nieces and two nephews, Ariana and Alessio LoPresti, Chiara and Matteo LoPresti, and Jaclyn and Danielle Kukon, could always count on.
He will be remembered most for the way he loved - deeply, without hesitation, and with a warmth that filled every room he entered. His sense of humor, steady presence, and quiet strength will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
Though his time with his loved ones was too short, the love he gave and the memories his family carry will remain with them always. His family finds comfort knowing that his legacy continues in the laughter, kindness, and resilience of those he loved most.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Monday, September 8, 2025 at Saint James Church, 115 E. Delaware Avenue, Pennington, NJ. Entombment will follow in Saint Mary's Cemetery, 1200 Cedar Lane, Hamilton, NJ. Family and friends are invited to come together to honor and celebrate Jim's life on Sunday, September 7, 2025 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Saint James Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the Washington Crossing Flying Field to create a memorial for Jim. Checks can be mailed to: WCRC Flyers Association, 77 Marshalls Corner-Woodsville Road, Hopewell, NJ 08525.
Arrangements under the direction of Blackwell Memorial Home, Pennington.
www.blackwellmh.com