Joseph R. Kulesza

January 28, 2024

Joseph R. Kulesza, 38, of Mountain Top and formerly of Plains Twp., passed away unexpectedly Sunday evening, January 28, 2024, at his home.

Born in the Heights Section of Wilkes-Barre on January 26, 1986, he was the son of Joseph A. and Beverly A. (Bohonko) Kulesza of Exeter.

Joe was a graduate of James M. Coughlin High School, Wilkes-Barre, Class of 2004, where he was one of the Class Valedictorians, and Kings College, Class of 2008, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. Joe was employed by TMG as Senior Auditor, and most recent at Amazon Distribution Center as Operations Manager, of a team he spoke so fondly of and truly enjoyed the work he did with; almost always bragging about the miles he put in during his work hours and showing off those stellar calves he was willing to put up against any gym head. He worked hard and loved even harder.

Joe was a member of Saints Peter & Paul Church, Plains. He was the recipient of the Plains Lions Club Education Award in 2004, a club he would join in 2015.  He would go on to serve as Club President in 2019-2020. He treasured that gavel like no other and loved all of you.

Joe was an avid fisherman and could be seen trolling that Susquehanna River with his right-hand guys, Mike and Nick and reeling in the Hudson River stripers during their yearly trip. Joe could be seen enjoying all things outdoors, camping with his crew, and living the music festival circuit as a lover of all music, but if you knew him you knew Joe was a lover of Dave Matthews Band and his live shows (at least 40 shows with his family and friends!) Joe was that doting dad that would be standing in line waiting for that special release Dave poster for his daughter. Afterall, he did make her the Dave Matthew lover she is today! And let’s face it…. he loved it just as much and enjoyed showing off these rare finds in his man cave.

In terms of sports, he was a life-long fan of the Los Angeles Rams; having been to several games and scooting down those bleachers to get those amazing athlete shots (You all know that famous photo he loved and treasured so very much.) and having such special moments with his girls and family/friends. Bring on the pizza and wings and a few cold beers and Joe was the life of any football game going, Go Rams! Just like his father the passion and love for the Rams was certainly family bred and right down to his daughter, Maddie, you could see them side by side prepping their Rams gear. Joe was a fan of the Boston Red Sox, a love he shared so deeply with his Pop Pop and enjoyed so much reminiscing those special moments watching the games with him.

He was preceded in death by his cousins Eugene Lepore and Christopher Bohonko.

Surviving in addition to his parents Joe & Beverly are his Forever Fiancée, Nicole Evans, daughter Madelyn “Maddie” Evans, the heartbeat and soul to his world, both of Mountain Top, sister Brittany Kulesza, Exeter, and several aunts, uncles, cousins, and many many friends who will miss him dearly.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, February 5, 2024, at 10:00 am at Saints Peter & Paul Church, 13 Hudson Rd, Plains, PA 18705, with Father John C. Lambert, Pastor, officiating. A live stream of the funeral mass will be on the parish FACEBOOK page. Family and friends may call Sunday afternoon from 2:00-5:00 pm at the Corcoran Funeral Home, Inc., 20 South Main Street, Plains, PA 18705.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made at Wells Fargo Bank (Highway 315, Plains PA) in care of Madelyn Evans for a future college trust.