Joseph L. Kunec

Joseph was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania on April 10, 1924, the son of George and Helen Kunec, and brother of George, Adele and Dolores.

At a young age, he and his family moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he grew up and graduated from Catholic Central High School. After graduation, he attended and completed his Bachelor of the Arts at Assumption College in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. He then participated in three years of study at the seminary of Congregation of St. Basil in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and performed post-graduate work at the University of Detroit and Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.

Joseph's professional life was focused on providing counsel and guidance to institutions and organizations dedicated to the service of the community at large. After teaching English at St. Thomas High School in Houston, Texas, he returned to Detroit to join John V. McCarthy & Associates, which marked the beginning of a fifty year career in philanthropic fundraising and institutional development. With McCarthy & Associates, he provided assistance and leadership to campaigns aimed at raising funds and developing facilities for numerous Catholic schools, parishes and dioceses. After leaving McCarthy, he was responsible for planning and implementing development programs at Mt. Carmel Mercy Hospital in Detroit, Michigan and Northwood Institute in Cedar Hills, Texas.

Upon relocating to Houston in 1970 with his wife, Barbara, and children, Joseph began work at M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, establishing the Development Office and providing financial counsel for a campaign to expand the hospital and institute. Later, he became Director of Development for the joint fundraising/development efforts of St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Texas Children's Hospital and Texas Heart Institute, assisting with planning long term fundraising objectives and raising funds for facilities and program expansion. After leaving this position, he rounded out his career by performing private fundraising, development and consulting services. He provided counsel, coordination and assistance in fundraising and development efforts directed at building the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi, upgrading facilities at Marywood Maternity & Adoption Services in Austin and renovating and expanding facilities at St. Francis Episcopal Day School in Houston.

In addition to advancing philanthropic industry knowledge as a seminar speaker and moderator, he served terms as: Chair of the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy and its Government Affairs Committee; Chair of the National Conference on Philanthropy; President of the Greater Houston Division of the Professional Society of Fund Raisers; Board Member of the Rotary Club of Houston Foundation; and Board Member of the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show Association.

Joseph is survived by his wife, Barbara Disser Kunec of Houston, and their seven children: Kathleen Kunec of Houston; Theresa Milcik and husband, Paul, of Fulshear; Patricia Boushka and husband, Jim, of Austin; Kevin Kunec of Houston; Bridget Riha and husband, Stephen, of Houston; Sean Kunec and wife, Amber, of Pearland; and Brian Kunec and wife, Terrie, of Austin. Additionally, he is survived by seven grandchildren: Bridget and Bryce Boushka of Austin; Baileigh and Peighton Riha of Houston; and Ella, Aidan and Emma Kunec of Pearland. He will also be remembered by his sister, Dolores Potvin and husband, Harry, along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Helen Kunec, brother, George, and sister, Adele Dugas.

The family will receive friends for a Vigil and visitation on April 26, 2011 between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., with recitation of the rosary at 7:00 p.m., at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home and Cemetery, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas. A Catholic funeral mass and celebration of Joseph's life will be held on April 27, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, Texas. A reception at the church will immediately follow the mass.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Joseph may be made to Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, Texas.