Raymond (Ray) Paul Kurkjy, 93, of Danbury, passed away after a short illness on March 26, 2020. Ray was the loving husband of Mrs. Ellen Sottung Kurkjy and the late Mrs. Anna Kurkjy. He was a longtime resident of Danbury, CT, and prior to that raised his family with Anna in Briarcliff Manor, NY.
Ray was born on November 13, 1926 in New York, NY; to the late Alexander and Nora (Samman) Kurkjy. He grew up in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan and graduated from George Washington High School. He attended Fordham University and graduated with BS (1948), MS (1949), and PhD (1952) degrees in Organic Chemistry. Ray served in the US Navy during World War II as an Electronics Technician Mate Third Class at both NAVSTA Treasure Island and NAVSTA Great Lakes.
Ray spent most of his career (1952-1986) with Union Carbide Corporation in Research (24 patents), Product Management and Patents/Licensing, including a five-year assignment in Geneva, Switzerland. He went on to work for The Chem Systems Group Inc. as a Senior Consultant until his retirement in 2001.
Very active in his retirement, Ray enjoyed gardening, walking and community service. He was a member of the Union Carbide Retirees Club, volunteered at Dorothy Day Hospitality House and for the last 15 years, served as an AARP Tax Preparation Volunteer in Danbury & Brookfield.
As a longtime resident of Danbury, Ray was a member of St. Elizabeth Seton Church, Ridgefield, where he was a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, and member of Prime-Timers Club. In 2006, he received the Saint Augustine Medal of Service from the Diocese of Bridgeport in recognition of his service to the Church and the community. In Briarcliff Manor, Ray served as a Lector at St. Theresa Catholic Church, a volunteer at the FDR Veterans Hospital, an Assistant Boy Scoutmaster and as President of the Volunteer Fire Department Hook & Ladder Company.
In addition to his wife of 19 years, Ellen, Ray is survived by five children; Thomas (Maria) Kurkjy, Raymond Kurkjy, Neil (Pat) Kurkjy, Karen (Robbie) Ettinger, Alex Kurkjy, eight grandchildren; Nicholas (Leah) Kurkjy, Madelyn (Chris) Joyce, Katherine Kurkjy, Brian Kurkjy, Thomas Kurkjy, Anna Kurkjy, Paul Kurkjy, Teresa Kurkjy, two great grandchildren; William Joyce ,Thomas Joyce, six stepchildren, and 21 step grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Odette Robinson and nephews Chris Robinson and Edward Robinson.
Ray was predeceased by his wife of 41 years and mother of their children, Anna Kurkjy, a daughter, Marion Kurkjy Kaasa, and his brothers, Albert Kurkjy and John Kurkjy.
Due to the current health emergency, a Mass of Christian Burial will be scheduled at a later date.
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