Lawrence E. Kukacka Jr.

Larry Kukacka passed away Saturday Jan 14, 2023, after a brief illness. He was born in Bay Shore, NY July 29, 1931 to Mary and Lawrence Kukacka Sr, and resided in Port Jefferson NY with his wife and family from 1960-1995, before moving to Manchester VT upon his retirement. Whether in his career or personal life, he committed deeply to the priorities he set for himself and the passions that inspired him over the different phases of his life. Larry, the scientist, graduated from Clarkson College as a Chemical Engineer in 1953. After service in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, he joined the Materials Sciences Department at Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island, NY. He laid down deep roots at “The Lab,” with a tenure that lasted 40 years with projects that took him across the world and that yielded notable distinction for technology and intellectual property in industrial materials, nuclear and geothermal equipment, and hazardous materials remediation. His most strategic and noteworthy BNL achievement, however, was securing a date, then courting, and ultimately marrying Betsy Renwick, a co-worker in the administration office. His young life on long Island’s south shore nurtured his love for the outdoors, a host of recreational activities and the contest of sports. He enjoyed boating, fishing and summer weekends on the beach. He took his passion for playing football as a youth well into middle age by becoming a referee for children’s, high school and college level football programs around the tri-state New York area. Family holiday and summer vacations always included leisure sports, and he introduced his wife and daughters to sailing, water and downhill skiing, tennis and golf. Larry and Betsy shared a special fondness for global travel, and along with cultural experiences and touring countrysides, they incorporated skiing and boating into a number of their adventures around the country and world. In 1995 Larry and Betsy chose Manchester as their home to enjoy their retirement years. Here, they found a bucolic and welcoming community, an outdoor playground, and here relished spending time near two of their daughters, their spouses and six grandchildren. Larry embraced his newfound spare time, joining the board of the Southern Vermont Arts Center, joining the Dorset Field Club, the Congregational Church, and volunteering at Hildene. Meaningful friendships were made at the DFC, for golf and paddle matches. His “love of the game” and the kinship he felt for his fellow sportsman and family in and within the club brought him some of the most joyful days in the final seasons of his life. Larry was deeply loyal and supportive of those he loved. He will be missed by his wife Betsy, his daughters Susan (her husband Gary Maravalli), Nancy, and Amy and (her husband Scott Swinarton.) Larry’s greatest joys were his six grandchildren and one great grandson. He enthusiastically cheered them all on through every milestone, academic and athletic achievement, and personal pursuit. Christopher (and wife Lindsey) Maravalli, James Maravalli, Tamara Maravalli Neiley (and her husband Eric), Timothy Swinarton, William Swinarton, Bennett Swinarton, and baby Wyatt Maravalli will always feel the support they had from “Pops,” their biggest fan. As grandson Chris stated, “Pops was a constant grounded voice whose love for his grandkids (and new great grandson) was shown through his desire to care for and guide each of them through their interests and passions, towards their own unique paths.” Today and onward, the Kukacka clan honors his long, full life. The family will hold a celebration of life for Larry in the spring.