JOSEPH KULICK

1922 - 2022

JOSEPH ANTHONY KULICK  
According to an African proverb, when an old man dies, a library burns to the ground. These words were never truer than with the passing of lifelong learner and educator Joseph A. Kulick, our beloved "Dziadz," 99, of Arlington, VA, who died on January 13, 2022, in Charlottesville, VA. Born in Mt. Carmel, PA, on July 23, 1922, he was the son of the late John and Stefania Kulik. In 1944 he was drafted into the U.S. Army, assigned to Company L, 71st Infantry Regiment, 44th Division near the Maginot Line, where he was wounded and awarded a Purple Heart. He graduated from Bloomsburg State Teachers College in 1949 with a BS in science and obtained his Master of Education from George Washington University in 1952. After moving to Arlington, he taught math at Stratford Junior High School from 1950-64, was an assistant principal at Wakefield High School from 1964-71, returned to Stratford as an assistant principal until 1978, and retired from his teaching career at Yorktown High School in 1980. He had a passion for teaching and learning which he instilled in others, especially his devoted family. A devout Catholic, he was a former member of St. Joseph's Church, Mt. Carmel, and attended St. Charles Borromeo, St. Agnes, and St. Thomas More churches in Arlington. He was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Irene A. Kulick. He is survived by his son, Joseph T. Kulick of Arlington; his son, John F. Kulick (Ruth) of Wolftown, VA; his daughter, Therese K. Morse (Richard) of Ashland, VA; six grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; and one brother, Henry Kulik of Lansdale, PA.  His love of family, strong faith, charity towards others, vast knowledge, good humor, European travel and languages, hikes along the C & O Canal, and mastery of crossword puzzles will be his treasured legacy.  A celebration of life, The Mass of Christian Burial, and interment in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Mt. Carmel, PA., is planned for the future.