Our sincere condolence for your loss.

His brother Marjan and wife Anica

One of my favorite pictures of grandpa and his squirrel

Wuh, HIYA!! One of my favorite things about Grandpa is at any time, I could make a crazy face at him, and he would immediately respond with an equally crazy face. If he didn't laugh first. Another option? Just start dancing, he will too. I think I know where my 'silly' comes from. 

He was instrumental in my childhood. Jen & I loved when he would pick us up from school because that meant we were either getting McDonald's or Grandma's cooking. Regardless, we were getting soda and candy to take home.  He knows how to win us over. Probably because he's just a kid at heart too. 

He would let us play whatever music we wanted in the car. One of the songs he brought up a lot was a Flo Rida song of all things. The song starts with "I ain't got no money". Grandpa continued with lyrics like "I have some money, they got my money at the bank, I cry cause I have no money". Very easy going that guy. If it made us laugh, Grandpa was in.

For every holiday we spent together, I remember always feeling excited for his arrival. I was normally greeted with "STEFANIA LASAGNA!!" or "STEFANIA, how is my LASAGNA??" 

I loved how much Grandpa loved animals. He would take us to feed the ducks, geese, then squirrels, now he has a community of deer. I have joyfully continued that on. 

I'm so happy he got to meet my Fiancée, April. Last time we saw him not long ago, he was eating a bowl of beans from the can. But before we left he told April "You take care of her." That was after he offered her some tools from his garage and showed her his calendars.

I moved to Detroit in 2020 which Grandpa was very supportive of. He offered (and did) help me move there, and to my new apartment after being there a couple years. Nothing could stop him. He always wanted to help. We took a break and got Burger King on the turnpike one time, so every time I pass the rest stop, and see that table by the window I'll remember him. Among every little thing he contributed to my life.  Love you Grandpa!!

This is the whole photo I took from my car of his obituary photo. I was just leaving after another visit and he saw the little junior officer badges I had in my car and he wanted one. Clipped it right to his shirt pocket! One of the better pictures of grandpas smile I’ve ever had! I remember leaving there thinking he was going straight to drug mart to say he was a police officer now !

In our family, we all remember that Grandpa knew everything "unless it's a gross." He was unaware, but I can tell you, he also doesn't know about OSHA. As the oldest grandchild, I have some memories that my younger sisters and cousins don't have, but we all remember THE swing. The old tree was easily over 6 feet wide at the base and somehow taller than Godzilla. Grandpa cleared branches over 30 feet up to install a swing deserving of a Guinness World Record – but how did he do it? Every drop on the swing made Grandma's lunch creep up to your tonsils and rivaled the plummet of a roller coaster. The rubber belt seat was attached to nylon rope, held together with duct tape, but we all survived despite the obvious safety oversights. Grandpa was never too tired to push us on the swing until our stomachs begged for mercy. 
Even over the last 11 years with my own children, he was never too tired to chase them, toss them to the sky, play soccer in the yard, or help build something in the workshop, because he would never stop short of anything and everything to make any of us smile. All of the candy we pocketed, all the nails we’ve smashed with our own hammers, feeding the deer, teaching us to ride a bike, pretending to sleep while he let us mess up his purry purry hairses, the boombox lashed to the tree with a belt, endless woodshop constructions, waiting patiently on the floor as he sliced an apple with the knife from his pocket, and antagonizing Grandma- all to bring joy to our faces. I’ve expressed to my husband that he’ll never understand the type of childhood Grandma and Grandpa provided for us, and I’m forever grateful that my own boys had a taste. 

My youngest has asked to add his own words:
I love Opa so much. You make me so happy. Can we play together? Can we run and play again? You can take a break by yourself if you want to.   -Remy

I didn’t get to make too many trips to Ohio with the whole family, but when we did visit, my parents seemed to really enjoy it.  I think most of the visits were around the holidays, and Grandpa would never get tired of taking my boys to play in the snow.

And here’s my dear old dad pretending to play the accordion. Again. Clowning around was probably his number one favorite thing to do.

Dad sure loved clowning around and being with family. He made sure we had some nice vacations growing up and getting to know our extended family. Our family get togethers and cookouts will be something I will always treasure and remember. He sure loved his family.

In the short amount of time I got to know you, you quickly became one of my favorite people to hang out with. Thank you for teaching me to enjoy the little things in life—like feeding the deer and watching the planes go by—and for always spoiling my other two favorite people, Michael and Keno. We will miss you!

This is the perfect example of how Grandpa and Grandma did so much to see me. I absolutely cherished their visits- this is us when I went to school in Youngstown. Seeing that green truck anywhere was enough to make me happy

I remember thinking, I have to have a home wedding reception because what good would a wedding be if I can’t dance with Grandpa? This memory means the world to me and I think it did to him too because this picture was next to his bed. Dancing to polka ofcourse

Grandpa had so much fun taking a trip back to the old house

Grandpa and Gabriel always had a connection. This picture shows it perfectly

Even though you provided me with some less than favorable traits, you did provide a fantastic and memory filled childhood for your 3 children. You will always be remembered for that and teaching me how to POLKA!  Love you more!  Nomy

Grandpa would regularly come over to my new house and visit with Beth, Keno and I and we would always make the “Grandpa meal” cheeseburger, MACaroni and cheese, and coleslaw! Always save some for Keno!

OBITUARY

John F Kuznik

May 23, 1935 – October 1, 2026

A. Ripepi & Sons Funeral Home

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