John C. "Jack" Kuzmak, 78, of Cheshire, died unexpectedly on Thursday August 25, 2016. He was the husband of Patricia (Wactowski) Kuzmak, his beloved wife and best friend of 57 years.

Born on August 24, 1938 in Meriden, he was the son of the late John B. and Jean (Parziale) Kuzmak and stepson of the late Lena (Sartini) Kuzmak. Jack proudly served in the United States Marine Corp Reserve from 1955 until 1961. He was a resident of Cheshire for the past 22 years and worked for the CT Plumbers & Pipefitters #777 from where he retired and then for the South Central CT Regional Water Authority. Jack was a member of Meridian Lodge #77, Sphinx Shrine of Newington, Hartford Court #141 ROJ.

Jack was very social and had a large circle of friends; his boisterous laughter and kidding nature could always be heard and was loved by all. A loving husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend, Jack will be greatly missed.

Mr. Kuzmak is survived by his children: Thomas Kuzmak, Cheryl Carr and her husband George, Karen Roche and her husband Don; daughter-in-law Elizabeth Bakunovich; five grandchildren: Nikolai Kuzmak, Karl Kuzmak, Ivan Kuzmak, Anya Kuzmak, Molli Carr; two sisters: Gail Kroeber and her husband Don, Marybeth Wishart and her husband Craig; a brother Tom Sartini and his wife Marlene and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his brother Richard Sartini and daughter-in-law Anne Bakunovich.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects on Friday September 9, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Stempien Funeral Home, 450 Broad St., Meriden. Burial with military honors will be private. To send an online expression of sympathy please visit www.stempienfuneralhome.com .

Donations in memory of John C. Kuzmak may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Springfield, 516 Carew St. Springfield, MA 01104.