Obituary for Alexander M. "Ollie" Kulesa Jr.
Alexander Michael “Ollie” Kulesa, Jr., age 81, passed away peacefully in his home on April 18, 2021, surrounded by his family in Auburn, MA after a nearly three-year long battle with cancer. Al was born on March 20, 1940 in New Britain, CT to the late Alexander Michael Kulesa and Helen Jachimczyk.
Al grew up in Newington, CT with four siblings, worked in the tobacco fields, was a golf course caddy and worked at Friendly’s in his early years. He enlisted in the Army National Guard as a Medic and graduated from the University of Hartford in 1965. He was married to Marilyn Lydia Firl on December 3, 1966. He began his work with General Electric in 1966 and retired after 37 years of devoted service as a Senior Product Quality Engineer in their Aircraft Engine Program. In his later years, he thoroughly enjoyed his work with Amerifleet Transportation as a vehicle delivery specialist.
Al had a steadfast moral countenance, rooted in faith, goodwill and service to others. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. Al volunteered as a tutor for the incarcerated. He also was a friend to many and served as a mentor to those who were in need of support. He had a love for nature, outdoors and hiking and could often be found outdoors gardening, bee keeping or hiking the mountains around Mt. Washington.
Al had a strong sense of devotion to his family, including his four children and eight grandchildren. He would often go ‘above and beyond’ for any family member who was in need and no task was too great. He encouraged his children to work hard, keep a strong moral fortitude, honor commitments and to strive for success.
Al is predeceased by his parents, brothers, Joseph and Edward and his brothers-in-law, William “Bill” Clark and Carl Larson. He is survived by his beloved wife Marilyn, four children, eight grandchildren and their spouses, Alexander and Elizabeth Kulesa III, children Alexander IV and John Christian of Memphis, CT, Joseph and Mary Josephine Kulesa and Margo Birdie of Brooklyn, NY, Marianne and Bill Garrett and Addison, Josephine and Samuel of Severna Park, MD, and Jennifer and Sean Kelley and Anya and Abigail of West Boylston, MA. He is survived by his sister Eleanor Larson of Granby, CT, brother and sister-in-law Paul and Frances Kulesa of Newington, CT, sister Margaret Clark of Bradenton, FL, and sister-in-law, Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Kulesa of New Britain, CT. He is also survived by his long-time friend and brother-in-law Arthur Firl and spouse Susan Seibel of Oxford, MA.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the Kulesa family between 4:00 and 7:00 PM on Friday, April 23, 2021 at the BRITTON-WALLACE FUNERAL HOME, 91 Central Street, Auburn, MA. His funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at St. Joseph’s Church, 189 Oxford Street N, Auburn, followed by burial, with military honors, in Hillside Cemetery, Auburn.
Al grew up in Newington, CT with four siblings, worked in the tobacco fields, was a golf course caddy and worked at Friendly’s in his early years. He enlisted in the Army National Guard as a Medic and graduated from the University of Hartford in 1965. He was married to Marilyn Lydia Firl on December 3, 1966. He began his work with General Electric in 1966 and retired after 37 years of devoted service as a Senior Product Quality Engineer in their Aircraft Engine Program. In his later years, he thoroughly enjoyed his work with Amerifleet Transportation as a vehicle delivery specialist.
Al had a steadfast moral countenance, rooted in faith, goodwill and service to others. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. Al volunteered as a tutor for the incarcerated. He also was a friend to many and served as a mentor to those who were in need of support. He had a love for nature, outdoors and hiking and could often be found outdoors gardening, bee keeping or hiking the mountains around Mt. Washington.
Al had a strong sense of devotion to his family, including his four children and eight grandchildren. He would often go ‘above and beyond’ for any family member who was in need and no task was too great. He encouraged his children to work hard, keep a strong moral fortitude, honor commitments and to strive for success.
Al is predeceased by his parents, brothers, Joseph and Edward and his brothers-in-law, William “Bill” Clark and Carl Larson. He is survived by his beloved wife Marilyn, four children, eight grandchildren and their spouses, Alexander and Elizabeth Kulesa III, children Alexander IV and John Christian of Memphis, CT, Joseph and Mary Josephine Kulesa and Margo Birdie of Brooklyn, NY, Marianne and Bill Garrett and Addison, Josephine and Samuel of Severna Park, MD, and Jennifer and Sean Kelley and Anya and Abigail of West Boylston, MA. He is survived by his sister Eleanor Larson of Granby, CT, brother and sister-in-law Paul and Frances Kulesa of Newington, CT, sister Margaret Clark of Bradenton, FL, and sister-in-law, Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Kulesa of New Britain, CT. He is also survived by his long-time friend and brother-in-law Arthur Firl and spouse Susan Seibel of Oxford, MA.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the Kulesa family between 4:00 and 7:00 PM on Friday, April 23, 2021 at the BRITTON-WALLACE FUNERAL HOME, 91 Central Street, Auburn, MA. His funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at St. Joseph’s Church, 189 Oxford Street N, Auburn, followed by burial, with military honors, in Hillside Cemetery, Auburn.