Online Obituaries

Stephen S. Kulig, 92, of Chicopee, died on Saturday, April 18, 2020 at the Soldier’s Home in Holyoke from COVID 19. He retired in 1990 from Monsanto Chemical Co. in Springfield after 40 years of service as an Instrument Mechanic. Stephen was born on March 9, 1928 in Chicopee. He was the son of the late William and Barbara (Kowalek) Kulig. Stephen was a communicant of the former St. Patrick’s Church, and then began attending mass at St. Anne’s and St. Stanislaus Church before moving to the Solider’s Home. He was a 1946 graduate of Chicopee High School and U. S. Navy veteran serving from 1946 to 1950 on the USS Valley Forge. Stephen was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 69, Tiger’s Athletic Club, and a member of the Chicopee Planning Board. At St. Patricks’ Parish, he was a 30 year bingo caller and volunteer, used his talents as a decorator of the church for all the holidays and later in life he became an adult altar server. Always ready to help, he volunteered at countless events with the Knights of Columbus, including the Annual Clergy Day celebration, bingo, and children’s Christmas parties. He could also be found chaperoning school dances, preparing meals at Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen and helping at many parish events throughout the years. Stephen was an avid New England Sports fan and loved his Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots and Celtics. He was famous for his baking skills, especially his Congo bars and in retirement he fine tuned his cooking skills. He and his wife Joan loved to host family and friends for a meal and a visit. Their motto was “the more, the merrier”. He greeted everyone with a warm hug, welcoming smile and a twinkle in his eye.

Besides his parents, Stephen is predeceased by his wife of sixty three years, Joan M. (Daley) Kulig, his son, David Kulig, his son-in-law, Donn Meade, four brothers, Frank, Walter, John and Stanley and a sister, Mary Kazeroid. He is survived by his two sons, James Kulig and William and his wife, Melissa, all of Florida; two daughters, Elizabeth DeForest and her husband, Kevin and Patricia Meade of Chicopee; a daughter-in-law, Joyce Kulig of Dracut; a sister Bertha Godek of Chicopee; nine grandchildren, Daniel Meade, Stephanie Mascia, Kathryn Vooris, Michael Kulig, Martin Kulig, James Kulig, David Kulig, Niki Kulig and Samantha DeForest; five great grandchildren, Molly, Addison, Oliver, David and Sienna. He also leaves many special “adopted” children and grandchildren, nieces, nephews and close family friends. The family would like to thank the staff from Porchlight Home Care, and 3 East and 3 North at the Soldier’s Home for the kind compassionate care given to their father. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104 or to the Soldier’s Home Recreation Department, 110 Cherry St., Holyoke, MA, 01040. Stephen’s burial will be private on Wednesday at St. Patrick’s Cemetery. The family will schedule a memorial mass to celebrate Stephen’s life once it is safe to do so.