Obituary of John Hulchanski

John Hulchanski LATHAM-John Hulchanski 90, of Latham NY entered into eternal life on Thursday, July 19, 2012. Born in Auburn, NY he was the son of the late Stephen and Mary (Fletcher) Hulchanski. He was a graduate of East Syracuse High School before joining the Army Air Corp in 1942 and serving as an airplane mechanic until he was honorably discharged in 1945 as Staff Sergeant in the 81st Fighter Squadron. He graduated from Syracuse University in 1949 with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, the first in the family to earn a university degree. He began working for the NYS Department of Public Works, (Department of Transportation) supervising highway construction, and eventually NYS canal maintenance until his retirement in 1984. John was predeceased by his beloved wife Dorothy (Koczan) Hulchanski. They were married in August 1949, raising six children, and shared their life together for 61 years until her death in 2010. He was a longtime communicant of St. Ambrose Church. In retirement John and Dorothy enjoyed traveling to historic sites, participating in conferences and tours about local history and canals, and attending "elder hostel" educational programs at various universities. He was a volunteer at the NY State Museum working on Canal History collections and was a long time member of the NYS Canal Society serving as a Board member for many years. He also volunteered at Albany Memorial Hospital Pastoral Care Department distributing communion to patients. Survivors include his loving children, John David Hulchanski (Rea Devakos) of Toronto, Canada, Jeanne (Ken) Stanton of Middleburg, PA, Katherine (Richard) Stemm of Orange, MA, Wm. Daniel Hulchanski of Latham and Robert (Cathy) Hulchanski of Latham; 11 cherished grandchildren, Caryn Hulchanski Riscavage, Anna Hulchanski, Tessa Devakos, Robin Adams, Kenny James, Chere, Steven, Scott, Justin, John, and Monica Stanton, and many great- grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Helen Procanick, and his brother William Hulchanski. Besides his wife, he was predeceased by his son, Thomas M. Hulchanski, his brothers Stephen Hulchanski and H. Daniel Hulchanski, and his sisters Betty Frayda and Marion Frajda. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday July 23, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. in St. Ambrose Church, 347 Old Loudon Rd, Latham with Rev. Francis DuBois officiating. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the Dufresne & Cavanaugh Funeral Home on Sunday July 22, 2012 from 4-6 p.m. Interment will be in St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, Syracuse. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in John's memory to St. Ambrose Church Food Pantry, 347 Old Loudon Road, Latham, NY 12110. For directions, information or to light a memory candle for the family please visit www. dufresneandcavanaugh.com