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Joseph R. Kukulich passed away surrounded by his family on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at St. Francis Hospital.
He was born and raised in Chester, PA, and was the son of the late Mary Jarusinsky and Anthony Kukulich. Joe attended St. Hedwig's School and St. James Catholic High School in Chester, PA. He graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science in 1954. After college, Joe served his country for 2 years in the US Army at Fort Benning, GA.
He married Ellen Marie Calvert, a graduate from Notre Dame, Moylan HS and St. Francis Hospital of Nursing and moved to Claymont, DE. Joe worked in several pharmacies until purchasing his own, Community Pharmacy, in 1963 in Wilmington, DE. During this time, he first introduced the Unit-Dose system for the distribution of medications for nursing homes. Joe was a consultant pharmacist for the Little Sisters of the Poor for 27 years. After selling the business in 1989, he worked for Rite Aid and Happy Harry's until retirement.
Joe was a member of Delaware Pharmaceutical Society and Board of Directors for many years, and was appointed to the Delaware State Board of Pharmacy. He was a member of APHA and ASCAP. Joe received the Harry Zeisig Award in 1982 for outstanding pharmacist of the year. He also was the first recipient the Mary Lou Anderson Award in 2003. Joe was on the Board of Directors of Phi Delta Chi Alumni for 20 years. Joe mentored many pharmacy students over the years. He always said that it was his good fortune to provide guidance to these students.
Joe was a longtime member of Holy Rosary Parish and the choir, a member of St. James Alumni "Blue and Gray Voices" and was inducted into the "Wall of Honor" of St. James Alumni.
He loved traveling, fishing and boating and spending time at Rehoboth Beach, DE. Joe always was proud of his flower display in the spring. He most of all enjoyed time spent with grandchildren.
Joe is survived by his wife Ellen of 58 years; 4 children, Kathleen Feathers (John) of Vienna, WV, Michael of Wilmington, DE, Mary Beth Catterton of Middletown, DE and Richard (Deborah) of Bear, DE; 7 grandchildren, Jonathan, Alison, Rebecca, Julian, Jessica, Nathaniel and Elizabeth; a sister, Mary Ann Harkins of Claymont, DE and sister-in-law Stella Kukulich of Wilmington, DE. He was also predeceased by a brother, Anthony Kukulich and a sister, Teresa Kukulich.
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