In Memory
Richard J Kuczmanski
Richard J Kuczmanski, 89, passed away on Thursday evening on August 24, 2023 at Acres of Indiana in New Carlisle, IN. He was born on December 9, 1933 in South Bend, to Harry and Stella (Smolka) Kuczmanski, both of whom preceded him in death.
On October 4, 1958 at St. Adalbert’s Church in South Bend, he married Mary Lou Zdoniak, who survives. In addition to his loving wife of 64 years, Richard is survived by daughters, Sue (Tim) Kuspa and Luanne (Rob) Korpal, and sons Eric (Dianna) Kuczmanski and John (Michele) Kuczmanski, all of South Bend; he was Dziadzia to Jason, Adam, Stephanie, Ashley, Jared, Eric, Jacob and Rachel and his great grandchildren Kiara, Riley, Ellie, Ryder, Vivienne, Cashton, Kyla, Grayson and Finnegan. Brothers Harry Jr, Daniel, and his twin brother, Edward all preceded Richard in death.
Richie, as Mary Lou would call him, attended Washington High School and went on to serve in the US Army, where he was stationed in California.
He then worked for Studebaker before going to work for (Kaiser-Jeep) AM General, where he worked for 33 years as a carpenter in the “Box Shop”. “Dick”, as he was known by his co-workers, was also a master carpenter. Cabinets, hutches, desks; there wasn’t anything that Richie couldn’t build. His legacy was his strong work ethic. A self-taught artist, he later moved on to wood carvings, paintings, drawings and other crafts. If you ever wanted to find him after work, he would always be in his garage building something. And if you stayed long enough, a joke was sure to be told. Some of his favorite sayings were, “It’s cold, put a cap on!” “No money, no funny” and “If it’s free, you take. If it costs, you take your time.” And his goodbyes were always, “Be careful, watch your step” or “Now go home and rest!”
A special thank you to Sue, Brenda, Winnie and Carmen at Acres of Indiana, who took such great care of him. The family is grateful for the love and attention you provided him these past two years.
Friends may visit with the family on Monday, August 28, 2023 from 3:00-7:00pm at St Joseph Funeral Home, with a Rosary being prayed at 4:00pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at 10:00am, with visitation 1 hour prior to the mass at Holy Family Catholic Church, 56405 Mayflower Rd, South Bend. Burial will follow at St Joseph Cemetery.
Contributions in memory of Richard may be donated to the Center for Hospice Care, 501 Comfort Pl., Mishawaka, IN 46545. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sjfh.net.
Dad, it’s your turn now, Go home and rest!
Posted online on August 25, 2023
Published in South Bend Tribune
08/25/2023 EJS
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