Donald Richard Kucia

Donald Richard Kucia, 76 years of age, and a resident of Oberlin, passed away on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.

He was born August 14,1947, in Lorain, Ohio. Don was raised in Lorain, graduating from Admiral King High School.  

He proudly served in the United States Navy from 1965 to 1967 as a sonar man aboard the U.S.S. Huntington.  After the military, Don attended Lorain County Community College, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Drafting.  He started his career at the former Lorain Products, then serving as an electrical draftsman for the former U.S. Steel in Lorain.  After the closing of his department in the U.S. Steel.  Don  went on  to serve in various capacities which included the former Four Star Engineering in Lorain and at the U.S. Steel in Cleveland smoke watching department. In 2009, he retired from  Diamond Products in Elyria as a lathe operator.

Don’s hobbies included tending to his vegetable garden and crossword puzzles.  He enjoyed spending time and helping his sister with her cottage on Kelly’s Island.  Don also enjoyed watching the Cleveland Indians.  He was known to be an animal lover, and took care of the many dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens and goats he had over the years.  As a young man, he enjoyed helping his father in his meat market and making and smoking homemade Kielbase. 

Survivors include his wife of fifty one years, Doris Jean Kucia (nee: Bowling); his sisters, Karol Kucia of Lorain and Ruth (John)  Bradley of Wellington.

He was preceded in death by his sisters,  Virginia “Ginger” Zadekas, June Kucia and Patricia “Pat” Kiskin; and his parents John and Coletta Kucia (nee: Winter)

Friends may call Saturday, September 16, 2023, from 11:00 am until the time of service at 12:00 p.m. at the Hempel Funeral Home, Amherst. The Rev. Larry Nocella, pastor of Camden Baptist Church, Wellington, Ohio will officiate. Rebroadcasting of services will be available at www.hempelfuneralhome.com . Burial will be held at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, Ohio.

For those unable to attend please visit the funeral home's website to share a memory and sign the guest register, www.hempelfuneralhome.com.

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