Ralph Joseph Kuklinski

He was fortunate enough in his senior year to get a partial scholarship from a local Polish organization for his first year.

Growing up, he liked to play baseball and football. Enjoyed ice skating, cards and loved board games.

After graduation from high school, he attended the Illinois Institute of Technology. During summers he had interesting jobs working in factories, drafting in an office in downtown Chicago, managerial training program for the telephone company and the Museum of Science and Industry.

While working at the furniture manufacture, an elderly worker gave him advice that he always remembered:

“There is only one thing that you have that no one can take from you and that is your knowledge and your spirit.”

He graduated from Illinois Institute of Technology in 1959. He worked at the Museum of Science and Industry from 1956-1957.

Ralph worked for the Naval Ordinance Plant in Forest Park Illinois, just outside Chicago. On the first of what was to be the intermittent visit over several months to Bremerton Wa, a representative from the Naval Ordinance Plant suggested that he take a class at Olympic College to help pass the time.

Ralph signed up for a dancing class, where he met his soul mate E. Merilee Jones and were wed September 17, 1966 and moved to Illinois to start a family. In 1970 Forest Park closed and he worked at Keyport where he retired in 1993.

Preceded in death by his parents, brother, Gene Kuklinski of Chicago, sister, Rita Mullin, of Atlanta. He is survived by his wife E. Merilee (Jones) of Bremerton, daughters, Laurel M Kuklinski of Bremerton, Lanette (Jeff) Bowling, of Silverdale, his brother Robert (Jennie) Kuklinski of Melroses Parak, Ill. and sister in law Mary (Gene) Kuklinski of Indiana, plus many nieces, nephews, grand and great grand nieces and nephews and exchange students.

Ralph was all about family. While working at Keyport, he also went to school to finish his degree while raising 2 little girls that he always had time for and having quality time with his wife, Merilee.

Ralph also had a quick wit and loved to laugh. He enjoyed the outdoors, camping, family outings, music, coffee, a great beer, excellent company, game night, dancing, travel, musicals, opera, always teaching/learning something new, and more.

He volunteer with Science Fair (as a judge), PTA, Girl Scouts, and working with exchange students, as an YFU rep.

He enjoyed traveling all over, including the national parks to Brazil, Argentina, and Antarctica.

Ralph loved to dance…was how he met Merilee and would create their own dance floor every week-end around 7:00am cutting up a rug. Their last dance was July 4, 2015, with our daughter and son-in law to Shut-up-and dance (his daughter’s and son-in-law’s wedding song).

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Kitsap Community Resources.

http://www.kcr.org/donate_now.htm

Select “In Memoriam of Ralph Joseph Kuklinski” in the dropdown.

These donations will go to the Christmas Angel program that he has been a part of for many years.