Daniel Michael Kuhajda

Daniel was born September 29, 1941 to Frank and Sue (Kolesar) Kuhajda in Akron, Ohio. On November 20, 1941 Daniel received the gift of Holy Baptism and became a child of God. He publicly confessed his faith and was confirmed on October 30, 1955. He graduated from Baldwin High School in 1959. He attended trade school to become a Draftsman in the field of architecture but like most God had other plans for his career path. He later moved to Garfield, NJ to work with Cooper Tire. He attended Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church and met his future wife Judith. Daniel and Judith were married on November 17, 1962. They were blessed by God with 3 children. In 1969 Daniel opened his own business Five Star Tire with his brother Frank and his father in Bethel Park, PA. After selling the business in the winter of 1977 he brought the family to Phoenix, Arizona. Daniel continued his career path in the tire business working for Evans Tire and Pirelli Tire. For a short time Daniel worked as a salesman for Bassett Bedding. Then in 1983 Daniel took a job offer from Bridgestone/Firestone as their west coast Truckstop Account Executive and retired with 20 years of service in 2003. Daniel was a Master Mason and member of Chartiers Lodge No. 297 in Canonsburg, PA for over fifty years. He was a 32 degree Mason of the Valley of Central New Jersey and a proud Shriner of the Syria Shrine in Pittsburgh, PA. Daniel was a devout servant of the Lord and always held strong to his faith. Daniel was a jack of all trades when it came to fixing anything around the house. You would never have heard the words “ Just call the man”. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, playing poker and cruising. He always believed that if you work hard you can play hard. His greatest joys were cruising with family and friends as well as spending time with his grandchildren.

Daniel is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Judith (Lawrence) Kuhajda, daughter Beth Ann Lawson and her husband Steven of Goodyear, AZ, son Daniel Lawrence Kuhajda and his wife Jana of Arlington, TX, youngest daughter Deborah Ellen LaPrell and her husband Brian of Buckeye, AZ,: 5 grandchildren Sarah Halligan, Alexandra and Chelsea Kuhajda, and Megan and Brian LaPrell, his sister Ruth Zubasic of South Park, PA, along with 3 nephews and a niece and relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents Sue and Frank Kuhajda, and his brother Frank Kuhajda and his wife Lillian, and his brother-in law Michael Zubasic.

The Lord gives and the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord. We give thanks to God the Father through Jesus Christ, our Lord, for the time we shared with Daniel and faithfully await seeing him in heaven.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Daniel Kuhajda’s name to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 6301 W. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ, 85033 or Hospice of the Valley 1510 E Flower St, Phoenix, AZ 85014.