Our dearly beloved husband, father, grandfather, mentor and friend, John Jerome Kuzmicky, peacefully accepted the hands of the angels at home in Discovery Bay on Jan. 29.
John was born to Lithuanian immigrant parents in the coal mining town of Forest City, Pa. In his late teens, at the height of the Great Depression, John crossed America to California. As the second of nine children, John encouraged his younger brothers and sisters to join him. In 1948, after the death of his father, he returned to Pennsylvania to bring his mother and four youngest brothers and sisters out west.
Through true grit and will, John parlayed his brilliant business and personal skills to become a leading Northern California mechanical contractor, eventually serving several terms on the board and also as president of the Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors (PHCC). He was also recognized as a wise and fair negotiator, serving many terms on labor negotiating teams.
John thoroughly enjoyed a lively discussion, even if he didn't agree with the point of view, as he aptly demonstrated with his quick wit and charming sense of humor. He was also an avid golfer, and loved to entertain family and friends with his beautiful singing voice. Yet, beyond all of his widely recognized accomplishments, John will be most remembered as a man of honor and kindness, whose quiet, engaging smile enlightened all whom he touch.
Throughout it all, John never lost sight of the fact that his family was his life's driving force. John is survived by and will be deeply and sorely missed by his loving wife Ann; daughters, Sandy Lotter and Kelly Kuzmicky; four grandchildren, Matt Wood, Lisa Asher, Jonathan Lotter and LeeAnn Hogge; 14 great-grandchildren; brothers, Zenon, Ben and Donald; and sisters, Rita Ervin, Stella Frisbey and Alice Flory. John was preceded in death by his cherished daughter, Suzy Wood; brother, Kyser; sister, Dorothy Spicer; and grandson, Mark Wood.
A celebration of John's life was held on Monday, Feb. 4 at St. Anne Church in Byron. In lieu of flowers, the family that requested donations be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Center, Memorial and Honor Program, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
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