James Kunder Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

James Kunder, 95, of Rochester Twp., died peacefully on May 21, 2018, at the Passavant Retirement Community, Zelienople. Jim was born on March 23, 1923, in Industry, and was a longtime resident of Rochester, where he served the community for 60 years as a volunteer firefighter. He was a World War II Army veteran, having served in the European Theater with the U.S. Army’s 9th Air Force. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marko and Barbara Zupancic Kunder; his wife of more than 60 years, Virginia E. (Reali) Kunder, and his son, Lawrence Joseph “Larry” Kunder. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Anne, Stephie and Barbara, and a brother, Nicholas, as well as two infant brothers. Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, James R. and Robbin Kunder, Alexandria, Va.; a daughter-in-law, Candy Roorback Kunder; five grandchildren, Dr. Darcie Kunder, Jamie Kunder, Shane Kunder, Heather Donahue and James Kunder; two great-grandchildren, Larkin and Keaton; a sister, Mildred Ceranic; a brother, Mark Kunder, and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and great uncle to his family and will be deeply missed by them all. Jim served in the Civilian Construction Corps during the Great Depression building parks and trails in the mountains of central Pennsylvania before joining the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He was a veteran of combat in Europe with combat ribbons from the Normandy Invasion, the Ardennes Forest Campaign and the Battle of the Bulge. He subsequently worked and retired as a steelworker with the Pittsburgh Tube Co., Monaca, for more than 40 years, while also a member of the United Steelworkers of America. Jim was very active in community affairs in the Rochester area, serving as President of the then Rochester Twp. Volunteer Fire Department, Captain of the Fire Police, a member of numerous Rochester High School parent organizations, and a member of the VFW. He was a devoted member of the former St. Pudentiana Roman Catholic Church, North Rochester, and subsequently of St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Parish, Rochester, where he actively participated as a member of the Holy Name Society and enthusiastically as a volunteer for the church’s famous fish fries. With his ready smile, gift for conversation, twinkling eyes and enthusiasm for life, he was one of those rare individuals of whom it could be said “He never met a stranger.” Although saddened by his passing, his family takes comfort and joy in having known him and in the certainty that he has been reunited with God, his dear wife and son, and all those family and friends who lives were enriched by him. His family wishes to thank deeply those who helped care for him during the last vibrant years of his life including many kind and affectionate neighbors and friends, devoted medical personnel, the staff at Homemaker Home Health Aide Service of Beaver County, and the staff at Passavant Retirement Community, Zelienople, especially the caring staff of New Haven Court. In lieu of flowers, donations to these fine non-profit organizations are appreciated by Jim’s family. Friends will be received Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the WILLIAM MURPHY FUNERAL HOME INC., 349 Adams St., Rochester. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday at 9:30 a.m. in St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church, Rochester Twp. Interment will follow in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park. A Christian wake service will be held Friday at 3:30 p.m. and a firemen’s service will be held at 7 p.m., both in the funeral home.

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James Kunder

March 23, 1923 - May 21, 2018