Eugene Kulakosky was born in Lakewood, PA to Bernard J. Kulakosky and Eva Novak Kulakosky on 3 May 1930. By the time he started school, the family had moved to Callicoon, NY on the Delaware river, where his father managed a local creamery. The river and its tributaries provided ample recreational opportunities for Gene and his friends, between winter skating and summertime swimming and canoeing.
Gene started working in commercial concerns early in his life, working in the Victory Market in Callicoon in addition to a plant nursery and a drug store. After graduation from high school he managed the Victory Market in Woodbourne, NY.
He probably would have continued in the retail food business and married, but the Federal government had other plans for him. Gene was drafted into the army, reported on 8 May 1951 in Binghamton and was sent to Camp Kilmer, NJ for training. Although military service was not in his plans, he was fortunate enough to serve in Germany as a food inspector for three years and enjoyed many of his experiences there.
After the military service delay, Gene was finally free to marry his schoolmate Harriet “Betty” Long in 1954, who had been filling her time with her professional development. They started their married life with Gene attending classes at the state university in Morrisville. He graduated with food technology credentials in 1955 and took a job in his field in a Barker NY frozen food production facility, Southland Foods. He gained practical experience in a fast-growing food technology as a production foreman for two seasons, before reaching out to Victory Markets looking for a more family-friendly job.
He accepted a job at the Victory headquarters and moved with Betty and two baby boys to Norwich. Then they moved to a new home on Alice Street in Oxford in 1959, where two daughters were added to the family. Gene resided in that family home for nearly 57 years. Most recently, for several months, he resided at the New York State Veterans’ Home where he benefitted from wonderful care from the staff.
Gene’s work led him to rise in the Victory organization as it grew. He was a buyer for many lines of merchandise over the years and finished his career as a senior vice president in the company. He particularly enjoyed fellowship with his co-workers along with the challenges of his tasks.
Gene gave much of his free time to service at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Oxford. He was very involved with his sons’ scouting activities and actively supported Betty’s Girl Scout involvement. He was an avid gardener, especially with more free time in retirement. Gene with Betty enjoyed traveling with their RV for many years. In recent years he enjoyed his time with his friends around senior mealtimes in Oxford.
Gene was predeceased by his wife, Betty: his son, Joseph Kulakosky; his father, Bernard J. Kulakosky; and his mother, Eva Novak Kulakosky.
His survived by his son Peter Kulakosky with his wife Jean Marie Peacock of New Orleans LA; his daughter; Mary Jefferson of Ellicott City, MD and her children Amanda and David Jefferson; his daughter Susan Kulakosky of Endicott, NY; and her son Matthew Baquero. He is also survived by several loved uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnephews and grandnieces.
Gene’s family thanks faithful friends and neighbors for their care and devotion to his welfare in later years, especially parishioners at St. Joseph’s, the Lee family and Naida Baer.
Gene passed away on 13 May 2016 in Oxford. His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday 20 May at 11 AM at St. Joseph’s RC Church, State St., Oxford. Friends and family are encouraged to call at Behe Funeral Home, 21 Main St., Oxford on 19 May from 2-4, and 6-8 PM.
Memorial contributions may be made to the cemetery fund at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, PO Box 352, Oxford NY. Friends and family may share their memories and condolences by visiting www.behefuneralhome.com.