Lawrence W Kukura

Lawrence W. Kukura, 87, of Brookfield, Ohio passed away on Monday morning, January 19, 2015. Mr. Kukura known as "Larry" was born on September 1, 1927 in Campbell, Ohio, the son of Joseph and Martha Koly Kukura. A 1944 graduate of Campbell Memorial High School, Larry was an outstanding athlete and was inducted into the Campbell Memorial High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994. While attending Muskingum College, Larry played two years of football, four years of baseball and was a four year starter on the basketball team. He was a member of the 1000 Point Club and was named twice to the All-Ohio Collegiate Basketball Team, while being on All-Conference Selection three times. He was inducted into the Muskingum College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1984. Larry was a member of the Muskingum MACE Club. Larry received his Bachelors of Arts Degree from Muskingum College, and his Masters Degree from Westminster College in Educational Administration. After graduation, he was drafted by the Baltimore Bullets of the NBA, and later became a member of the famed Akron Goodyear National Industrial League. He also played semi-professional basketball for the Detroit Vagabond Kings. Larry also played baseball with Youngstown Manufacturing and Lustig Shoes, as well as a number of softball teams, including Youngstown Softball All-Stars. For 25 years Larry served as a basketball referee as a member of the international Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO) working the tri-state area. Larry began his teaching career at Fowler High School, Fowler, Ohio in 1950, and soon after was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He became a teacher and coached high school basketball and tennis at Narimasu High School, Tokyo, Japan, an American Dependent School. While in Tokyo, he climbed Mt. Fuji with his students and several teachers. Following his honorable discharge from the Army, he was a teacher and coach at Ben Franklin Jr. High School, New Castle, PA for three years. In 1956 Larry continued his career in education at Sharon Junior High School, Sharon, PA, where he taught Earth and Space science. He was granted a National Science Foundation Grant at Allegheny College, which was the beginning of a new science course at the junior high school level. In 1970, he served as an Assistant principal at Sharon Junior High School, and in 1973 he was appointed the Principal of Sharon Junior High School. Larry served in that capacity until his retirement in 1992. Larry was a member of the Sharon Kiwanis Club, the original Brookfield Optimist Club, the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials, the Ohio and Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the Public School Employees Retirement System and Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees. Larry is a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Vienna, Ohio- previously St. Bernadette Church- where he was a commentator for 12 years. Larry enjoyed golf, tennis and travelling, but particularly enjoyed spending time with his family. He was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather. He will always be remembered and loved by his family. His wife, the former Gilda Piccirilli, whom he married on Thanksgiving day, November 26, 1953, survives at home, having enjoyed 61 years of marriage together. He also leaves his son, Larry J. Kukura of Alliance, Ohio, and two daughters, Lori Reed (John) of Brookfield, Ohio, and Mary Lynn Yourstowsky (Charles) of Canfield, Ohio, and two grandchildren, Alexandria and Jacob Kukura, and one brother, Raymond Kukura of Santa Clarita, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents, and infant brother, Frank; two sisters, Ethel DeNicholas and Martha Muransky, and a brother, Joseph Kukura. A special thank you to the staff and personnel at O'Brien Memorial Nursing Health Care Center and Dr. David D'Amore for the excellent care given to Larry. Friends may call from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at the Lane Family Funeral Homes, Madasz Chapel, 6923 Warren-Sharon Road, Brookfield, OH 44403 (330) 448-6969. Closing prayers will begin at 9:15 A.M. on Thursday morning, January 22, 2015 at the funeral home and will be followed by a Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 10:00 A.M., at St. Bernadette Church, 7800 Locust Street, Masury, Ohio with the Very Reverend Frank Zanni V.F. officiating. Larry will be laid to rest at the Brookfield Township Cemetery. Family and friends may view this obituary and send online condolences to the family at, www.LaneFuneralHomes.com