Stanley F. Kukla
October 23, 1946 ~ September 18, 2018
Born in: Oil City, Pennsylvania
Stanley F. Kukla Jr., 71, of Franklin, passed away on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 after a courageous 3 year battle with pancreatic cancer in UMPC Shadyside, Pittsburgh.He was born on October 23, 1946 to Stanley F., Sr. and Josephine (Martyna) Kukla in Oil City, who preceded him in death.Stan graduated from Venango Christian High School in 1964 and then went to Gannon and graduated from Clarion University in 1970. He was also a 1978 graduate of Bucknell University of Banking and received an OMEGA Certificate in Retail Lending. On February 9, 1974, Stanley married, Sherry Magee; she survives him.Stan worked at Mellon Bank and then Pennzoil before starting at First National Bank of Pennsylvania in 1996, where he retired from in 2017 as a Senior Vice President of Commercial Loans. In his spare time, Stanley kept himself very busy with multiple organizations and activities. He was a trustee of the Oil City YMCA; a Childrens Aid Society Board Member; an Oil City School Board Member for many years; a Pulaski Club trustee; the Oil City Youth Football Coach for 11 years; the Oil City High School Junior Varsity Basketball Coach for 3 years; the Oil City Little League coach for 5 years; and a past President of the Youth Alternatives and also a Board Member.Stan was also a member of the Wanango Country Club, where he was a past Board Member and President. In the month of September of 2017, he ran a golf tournament at Wanango and raised $5,000 to benefit Pancreatic Cancer at Hillman Cancer Center.He loved to play golf, go to Salamanca, NY, and most of all he adored and cherished his children and grandchildren.In addition to his wife, Stanley is survived by his son, Christopher Kukla and his wife, Betsey, of Butler; his daughter, Kelly Zerbe and her husband, Tim, of Seneca; his granchildren, Allie, Andrew, and Mackenzie Kukla, and Devin and Jordan Zerbe; his brother, Mark Kukla and his wife, Jane, of Erie; his sister Karen Gaddess and her husband, Bill, of Clayton, NC; numerous nieces and nephews; cousins; and aunts and uncles.Family and friends will be received on Thursday, September 20, 2018 from 4pm to 8 pm at Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin, PA. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, September 21, 2018 at 11 am at the funeral home with Reverend William E. Hastings, pastor of the Seneca United Methodist Church, officiating.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made in Stanley's memory to the Hillman Cancer Pavilion, Development, 5150 Center Avenue, Suite 1B, Pittsburgh, PA 15232.To send cards, online condolences, or for more information, family and friends are invited to visit www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.
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Dear Kukla Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Stan’s passing. I have many memories of Stan, mostly centered around basketball–watching him and my father, Tony, playing in games together when I was little, playing in pickup games with him when I got older, and having him in the stands at games to watch my teams play in high school. I will remember him for his kindness and his humor. His legacy will live on through you and all who knew him. God bless.
I’m so sorry to hear of Stan’s passing. My condolences to Sherri and his entire family. May he now rest in peace.
Rest in peace cousin Sonny ….
Wishing you peace to bring comfort, the courage to face the days ahead and loving memories of Stan to hold forever in your heart So sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry to hear this news. Stan was always so nice and fun to be around. My thought s are with all of you in this difficult time.
A death has occurred and
everything is changed by this event.
We are painfully aware that life
can never be the same again,
that yesterday is over,
that relationships once rich have ended.
But there is another way
to look upon this truth.
If life went on the same
without the presence of
the one who had died,
we could only conclude
that the life we here remember
made no contribution,
filled no space,
meant nothing.
The fact that this person
left behind a place that cannot be filled
is a high tribute to this individual.
Life can be the same
after a trinket has been lost,
but never after the loss
of a treasure.
We hope that this poem brings you peace as you celebrate the time you had with Stan.
Lovingly,
The Wanovichs
I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. Please find the comfort and help you need to get through this difficult time from our loving Father, “the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3,4). God promises to do away with death forever (Isaiah 25:8).
To the Kukla family!
You are in our thoughts & prayers.
Mr. Stanley Kukla’s sister Karen & brother-in-law Bill Gaddess are our precious neighbors in N.C.
Sue Parrish & Carolyn Penny
With deepest sympathy to you and your family, keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. Bill and Carol Kuhls
I’ve known Stan since high school. We had many good times. My deepest sympathy on his passing. He will be missed.
Jon Settlemire Dear Sherry and family… I am saddened at the loss of a special person like Stan. I have very fond memories of you and him during our softball and flag football days. Also an enjoyable New Years evening at Terry and Carol’s. Though I was not around for many years I do remember seeing you and Stan out and inviting me to come to see you at the house in Franklin; I do regret not stopping in. I will always have the memories of him playing softball, basketball, and flag football. I still have our Ray L. Way’s softball picture that I will always cherish.
Sherry ,Mark ,Karen, and all the Kukla family: So many great memories of Stan I wouldn’t know where to begin. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Mike Kenniston
Sherry and Family, Our most sincere and deepest sympathies to you all on the loss of Stan. I have many fond memories of him which began when I was a young boy playing youth football on the mighty Blue Devils team. Not only was he a great coach and mentor but over the years became a business associate, staunch supporter, and a genuine friend. The many golf outings and club functions we enjoyed together will always be remembered and cherished. I count myself among the lucky ones to have known him he was a great man. I pray that the pain of his loss is lessened by the belief that he is in a better place now and we will see him again one day. We’ll be keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. Godspeed Stan you will be greatly missed. Warren and Julie Dale
Sherry and family,
It is with great sadness to learn about Stan,s passing. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers . I remember my daughter Aimee talking about the times she worked at Wanango and he always made sure he tipped her well. I knew then and will always remember he knew she was working hard to get through college and it wasn’t easy for her. She had a great deal of respect for him. May his generosity live on through others.
God Bless
Jon and Bonnie Oakes
Dear Sherry and family….Our deepest sympathies on the loss of Stan. I also knew him initially through basketball, then more so for his love of golf. He loved to mix it up under the basketball hoop using his elbows and trash talk. After the game he would respect you if you returned the banter, and the physicality, which was just part of the game back then. Most athletic combatants would later become his friend. His smile and sense of humor were to be admired. God bless all of you.
Rick and Linda Fletcher
Sherry and Family: I am sure you will remember all the best of Stan for years to come. I met Stan at Clarion and then was reunited with him at Mellon Bank years later. I was also lucky enough to go on several fall golf weekends with Stan and a group of friends. He always was a positive influence on everyone who he came in contact with. His life benefited many people and for that I say thank you and even though I live miles away you are in my mind and prayers to all the family. Jim Nellis
You have my deepest sympathy for the passing of Stan. Stan was a great person and friend to all. He will be deeply missed. Peggy. Ward
Dear Sherry, Please accept my deepest sympathy. I was not aware that Stan had been ill. In fact, I believe the last time I saw you and Stan was at Leonardo’s in Franklin several years ago when I had my grandkids with me. I will be thinking of you. Stan was a wonderful guy.
Mary Ann (Barber) Caton
Sherry and family,
I am so privileged to be a part of your circle of friends for the past 2 years. I enjoyed Stan’s sense of humor and generosity. He was a true “people person”. He was also a great neighbor, taking time to shovel a path to my garage and clean my car windows! I am so very sorry for your loss. Sherry, you will always serve as an outstanding example of a caregiver that advocated continuously for a loved one. As a healthcare worker, you have taught me the critical importance of involving our families as we care for patients. Stan will be missed by so many in our community. He will be long remembered and honored by our community, his friends and by his family.
So sorry for your loss. Words are inadequate. Prayers for the whole family. Thankful for memories!
Pam and Jim Simms
I’m so sorry to hear of Stan’s passing, he was a very nice man and he sure will be missed by many. Prayers to the family. Pat and Donna Winger
So very sorry for your loss. Saying prayers for comfort for the family.
Heartfelt sympathy to all the Kukla family. Please accept our sincere sympathy on your loss. There is no doubt that Stan will be truly missed by family and friends. Always remember that our loved ones are never gone for they live within our hearts forever.
The world is a better place because of all the good things Stan did for others. He was a great husband, father, and grandfather. He will be sadly missed by all. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Knowing that he is at peace with God will bring peace to the family in their time of grief.
Frank Meehan and Sandie Zerbe
A larger than life personality that made you feel warm and welcome while always able to drop in a great sense of humor. Chris I have nothing but prayers and found memeories of Stan. May the entire Kukla family be blessed w piece during this process.
Love, the Zirnsak’s
Dear Sherry and Karen and Mark,
Stan and I were classmates at Assumption grade school in Oil City. We began as little first-graders in September 1951. To us he was “Stasiu” I have fond memories of him in class with the Felician Sisters. From the obituary I see he was on several boards, and a volunteer with many sports teams. His generosity with his time and talents were building up “treasures in heaven” for this banker on earth. May he rest in the Lord’s peace.
Fr. Dan Kresinski, Erie, PA
May the God of all comfort be with you at this difficult time. 2 Cor 2:3,4
https://tv.jw.org/#en/mediaitems/VODMinistryTools/pub-imv_4_VIDEO
Stan will always be remembered by the Eckert brothers as having a larger than life persona: in our business dealings over the years, many rounds of golf and camaraderie in the grill room afterwards, and the way Stan so often went out of his way to help others. When we received the news of his passing, we happened to be on a family trip in Hilton Head at happy hour, and without hesitation, Dick hoisted his beer and said, “Here’s to Stan, one of the greats!” In unison, we joined in, “To Stan!” bottles clinking, sad in the moment, happy in all the memories, just the way Stan would have wanted it to be.
Dick, Bill, & Tod
My sincere condolences to the family Kukla for the lost of your beloved father Stanley, that our God keeps him in his memory in the day of the resurrection John 6:39,40, and give everlasting life here on the earth made a paradise Pslams 37:11,29, these blessing Johovah God promised and for sure it will be fulfilled in a near future. While we waiting for these blessings that the peace of God be with the family.
So sad to hear of Stan’s death. RIP my friend.
I am very sorry to hear of your loss, and would like to offer my condolences. During this time, I hope you may find comfort in the words of Psalm 34:18, that says God is close to those broken in heart and crushed in spirit. My sincere regards.