Online Obituaries

John T. Kusnierz, Sr., 89, of Westfield, died peacefully on Saturday, June 23, 2018 at his home. He was a helicopter and aerospace inspector at Kaman Aerospace Corporation of Bloomfield, CT. John also worked at the former Warren Thread Co. of Westfield, MA, F. W. Sickles Corporation of Chicopee, MA, and as head optician in the manufacture of telescopes for Criterion Manufacturing Co. of West Hartford, CT. He was born on December 17, 1928 in Chicopee and lived most of his life in Westfield. John was the son of the late John P. and Anna (Czech) Kusnierz. He was a member of the Western Mass Aviation Association and enjoyed piloting his private aircraft for many years. As a member of the Springfield STARS Club he contributed his knowledge and time along with other members to complete the optics and mechanical workings of the 20-inch telescope presently in use at the Springfield Science Museum Observatory in Springfield, MA. Also, John enjoyed gardening and he loved camping and traveling with his children. He enjoyed the challenge of inventing and improving on the design of anything that was electronic or mechanical. John is survived by his three children; a son, John T. Kusnierz, Jr. of Westfield, and two daughters, Ann T. Kusnierz, of Westfield and Carol A. Rickless of Longmeadow. Besides his parents, John is predeceased by his wife of nearly 60 years, Christine R. (Drewniak) Kusnierz, who died on March 16, 2017, his four brothers, Max, Stanley, Joseph and Walter and a sister, Jane Kusnierz. John’s funeral will be held on Saturday, June 30, 2018 from the Cierpial Memorial Funeral Home on 69 East St. in Chicopee Falls at 9am followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial in the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr at 10 am. Burial will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. Calling hours are on Friday from 4 to 7 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Basilica of St. Stanislaus, 566 Front St., Chicopee, MA 01013 or to Holy Trinity Church, 335 Elm St., Westfield, MA 01085.