Joe was born the son of Dominic and Stella (Krzyzanowski) Kuczborski on July 9th, 1944 in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated from St. Stanislaus High School, class of 1963 and studied the priesthood at Sacred Heart Seminary.
Joe was very proud of his Polish heritage and Catholic Faith. From all of his priestly assignments from Florida, Illinois and Michigan, he made many connections! As one friend who knew him said of his passing "Heaven just got a lot more social!"
From his ordination on May 29th, 1982 under Fr. Boyle in Illinois, there are many churches he was assigned to. The majority of his years were spent in the Diocese of Palm Beach. He worked in a few churches there: St. Sebastian, St. Vincent, St. Joan of Arc, just to name a few It gave his family a good reason to go down to Florida to visit him and enjoy the beautiful areas of south Florida! He was always happy to have family visit him there. His brother Dominic and his sister Ceil, niece Karen, sister-in-law Marilyn, and his niece Carol were happy to come down and visit him and enjoy the sunshine with him!
For those who knew him personally, they were regularly greeted with a phone call. Nothing too long, just a brief "what are you doing" and "how's the weather?" And when he was done talking, he was done, "good-bye"! And upon meeting someone new, his typical opening question was "Are you single, married, divorced, widowed, or happy?" It was a funny way of him learning about them. He made some great friends that got together regularly, and also looked after him and helped him. He showed his appreciation to these friends by cooking them one of his delicious roast beef and potatoes meals, and especially a homemade apple pie! And, of course, there was always coffee immediately after dinner!
He joined the Air Force as a Chaplain in 1984. From there, he got to explore other areas, such as: New Mexica, Charleston S.C., Tampa at McDill AFB, and the most interesting deployment was in Greenland, at Thule AFB (now known as Pituffik). That was an experience! Along the way, he was always looking for some travel companions. His sister, Ceil and her husband Mike Clancy, were game to follow him to visit the areas with him.
Even though being in southern Florida is a fantastic place, he enjoyed coming back to Michigan. After he officially retired from the Priesthood, he helped out with churches in Holy Family in Harbor Springs, and St. Ignatius Church (a hidden gem in Good Hart!) and St. Hyacinth in Detroit during the summer months. This beautiful area was an area he always loved coming back to, and also made some great connections with people up there, as well as another place for family to come visit with him. And, one of his favorite places to have a great meal was Legs Inn—great food and people!
His niece, Karen Stylianou, and her husband John, and sons, Scott and Brian will especially miss him. Joe was her Godfather, and he lived up to that by always being a huge part of her life. From the daily calls, to visiting with him in Florida and Northern Michigan, and one of the very special days they share together was when he was the Priest for her wedding at St. Hugo of the Hills. Not many girls can say that their Godfather was the Priest at her wedding!! He also got a feel for what it was like to have a family when he would stay with them when he visited in Michigan—a bit noisier than he was used to!! This will leave a huge void in their lives.
Joe is survived by siblings Dominic Jr., John, Mary, and Edward Kuczborski; sister-in-law Lorraine Kuczborski; nephews Edward, Mark, Ken, and Matthew Kuczborski and Mike Clancy; nieces Karen Stylianou, and Donna and Sarah Kuczborski; and cousins Carol Kuczborski and Nancy Masciarelli. Joe was predeceased by his parents; siblings Frank Kuczborski and Cecillia Clancy; and niece Cathie Clemens.
Joseph’s family will hold a visitation on Tuesday July 22nd from 4-8pm at Pixley Funeral Home, located at 322 West University Drive in downtown Rochester, Michigan. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday July 23rd at 11am (Instate 10am) at St. Hyacinth Catholic Church, located at 3151 Farnsworth Street in Detroit. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township.
Memorial Contributions may be made in Joseph’s honor to St. Hyacinth Catholic Church.
