Frederick John “Fred” Kulas passed away at home on Tuesday, September 10 after dealing for many years with Parkinson ’s disease. His strength, stubbornness and sense of humor helped him overcome many challenges presented by this disease which finally got the better of him.
Fred was born in Ft. Dix, New Jersey on June 27, 1951 to his parents, Walenty and Lilliane Kulas. The Army sent the family to France where they lived until Fred was five years old. The family was then transferred to El Paso, Texas, which was quite a transition for him since he only spoke French. Several other transfers found Fred living in Arizona and Arkansas, where his sister, Susan, was born. The family finally settled in Agawam, Massachusetts where the extended Kulas family resided.
Fred attended Agawam High School (and loved going to Agawam Day during the Big E). He went to Worcester Polytech Institute (WPI) where he majored in Mechanical Engineering. After graduation, he worked for General Electric until 1975 when he was accepted into the Harvard Business School. He then went on to have successful careers in sales, marketing and product planning at IBM and Digital Equipment/Compaq/Hewlett Packard Company until retirement in 2011.
Fred cherished family and friends as well as his college institutions. He was a very dedicated alum of WPI and Harvard, rarely missing his college reunions. He helped with fund raising and giving career advice to students. He was the great social organizer, bringing together groups for sporting events, holidays and the Super Bowl. He particularly liked to do this for Harvard football, hockey, and basketball games. He loved music and tried to attend as many Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen concerts as possible. He played the piano in his high school musicals and often went to theatrical productions in Boston. He enjoyed train travel, vacationing at The Red Lion Inn in the Berkshires, attending Tanglewood concerts and dance performances at Jacob’s Pillow. Anyone lucky enough to eat one will never forget his gigantic “Fred burger” which he made with his own secret recipe and grilled to perfection for meals and tail gates.
Family was most important to him. Thanks to his passion for photography, he documented many fond memories. Beneficiaries are those he leaves behind: in Framingham, Mary, his wife of 38 years; His sister, Susan Manna, husband Marc, and sons, Michael and Thomas. From Virginia, brother-in-law Stephen Rodock, wife Shannon, daughters Kelly and Shaun (husband Skyler); sister-in-law Teresa Rodock Seay, daughters Frances and Kathleen (husband Paul) (children Dominic, Rosalie and Mila). Predeceased by brother-in- law John Rodock , children Jay, Sarah (husband Tanner), and Sabrina and their mother Sheryl Stratton. “Good egg” Toni Calderone who spoiled him with incredible homemade cookies mailed from Virginia.
Fred was a devoted husband, loving brother, brother-in-law, uncle and caring friend. “He was a sweet, cool, funny and gentle soul” who is finally at peace. The next time you may be enjoying a gin and tonic, a glass of beer or a root beer float, smile and make a toast to Fred.
Family and friends will honor and remember Fred’s life by gathering for visiting hours in the McCarthy, McKinney & Lawler Funeral Home, 11 Lincoln St. Framingham on Sunday, September 22nd from 2-6PM. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Bridget’s Church, 830 Worcester Rd. Framingham on Monday morning at 10 o’clock with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Callahan Center (checks payable to The Friends of Callahan, 535 Union Avenue, Framingham, MA 01702) or St. Bridget’s Food Pantry (checks written to St. Bridget Parish and indicate For St. Bridget’s Food Pantry, 15 Wheeler Avenue, Framingham, MA 01702.
To share a memory with Fred’s family, kindly visit www.mccarthyfh.com