MICHAEL "Barney" KULIKOWICH JR.

Michael “Barney” Kulikowich, Jr., of Edwardsville, died on Monday, July 12, 2021, at the In-Patient Unit of Hospice of the Sacred Heart in Dunmore.

He was born in Plainville, PA and was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Mary Kulikowich, brothers, Alexander and Nichlos, sisters, Mary Zingaretti, Olga “Peggy” Surdouski and Stella Vozniak.

When he was 4 ½ years old, his father unexpectedly died and during his elementary years, his two older brothers helped ease that loss by leading him to the love of baseball. Except for school, you could always find him playing and learning the rules and skills of the game. He played in the first Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA. Later in his High School years, he added the love of football and basketball. He excelled in both and graduated from Kingston High School in 1957. He attended Wyoming Seminary then served in the US Marine Corps. He worked and retired from the GM Assembly division in Linden, NJ after 31 ½ years. He started in assembly and by retirement became skilled in robotic maintenance. During his working years in NJ, he coached Pop Warner Football, coached men and women industrial league softball and refereed intramural basketball. He also loved horse racing and was a faithful fan from the opening of Pocono Downs, now known as Mohegan Sun.

Mike had many friends and was always ready to lend a helping hand. Ready, willing and able was how he lived his life. He was a member of St. John's Russian Orthodox Church, Edwardsville and belonged to Local 595, United Auto Workers.

He is survived by his loving family, wife, Patricia, with whom he celebrated 59 years of marriage. His three daughters, Jonna Kulikowich; Jennifer (Michael) Zablotney; Natalie (Guy) DePasquale; granddaughter, Danielle Reilly; grandson, Jadon DePasquale and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be conducted on Friday, July 16, 2021 at 10:00 am from the Andrew Strish Funeral Home, 11 Wilson Street, Larksville. Interment with military honors will be in Fern Knoll Burial Park, Dallas at 11:00 am.

Friends are invited to join the family for a visitation on Thursday, July 15, 2021, from 4 to 7:30 pm and Friday morning, from 9:00 am until time of service.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 600 Baltimore Drive, Wilkes-Barre, PA, Blue Chip Animal Rescue, Dallas, Pa or any local Little League.

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