Obituaries

John A. Kulesa, age 82, of West Scranton, passed away Tuesday morning at Regional Hospital in Scranton. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Leona Pacholec Kulesa. Born February 10, 1929, in Scranton, he was the son of the late John J. and Josephine Rutkowski Kulesa. He was a graduate of West Scranton High School, Class of 1948. After graduation, he played baseball with the Taylor Tigers, pitching countless no-hitter games. He went on to play minor league baseball in Georgia. He served in the United States Army from 1950-52 in the Korean War. Prior to his retirement, he was employed by PP&L for 23 years. He was a member of St. Ann’s Basilica Parish.
He had an extreme passion for gardening that he learned from his father. He particularly loved roses, his favorite being the Amy Quenerd, which he always thought was the most fragrant. Among his other favorite flowers were the Rudbekiah and African Violet. He landscaped many gardens around the Scranton area gracing them with beauty. He also grew prize-winning tomatoes, which were the tallest cherry tomatoes in Scranton; He always took great pride in this. Known by everyone as a kind and gentle man, he will be greatly missed.
He is also survived by his three children, Paulette LaConte and husband Kenneth of Lakeland, Florida, Kevin Kulesa and wife Theresa of Scranton and Kathleen Fanucci and husband Joseph of Scranton; three grandchildren, Sergio and Isabella Fanucci and Sean Kulesa; his siblings, Chester Kulesa, Helen Cerra, Mary Ann Gurz and Eleanor Conrad; and many nieces and nephews.
His brothers, Joseph and Frank Kulesa, also preceded him in death.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 10:00AM in St. Ann’s Basilica, St. Ann Street in West Scranton.
Relatives and friends may pay their respects to the family at the church from 9:30AM until time of service.
Arrangements are under the care of the Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 125 N. Main Ave., Scranton.