Obituary for Walter Edward Kurkela Jr.
Walter E Kurkela, Jr., 93, a resident of Poughquag, NY, passed away on November 27th, 2022 at home. Born on November 26, 1929 in Chester, PA, the son of the late Walter E. and Anna B (Pardee). He grew up in New York City and then moved to Ardsley, NY.
After graduating Ardsley High School in 1947, Walter attended the University of Notre Dame for 1 year and then transferred to Columbia College and earned a BA degree in 1951. He then attended Harvard Business School, receiving an MBA in 1953.
Walter then attended the US Navy Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI and upon completion of OCS was commissioned an Ensign in the US Navy Supply Corps. While attending the Navy Supply Corps school in Bayonne, NJ he met and married his first wife Lillian Saldon in 1954. Walter served as a Disbursing Officer on the Destroyer Tender, USS Arcadia AD23. His next and final assignment was as a Supply Officer on the USS Harwood DDE861. Both ships were stationed in Newport, RI.
Upon completion of his Naval service in 1956, he began a career in business in financial analysis, first with Campbell Soup Co. in Camden, NJ, followed by Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn, MI., Trans World Airlines NYC and Xerox Corporation in Rochester, NY.
In 1973, he acquired ownership of DUSO World Travel, Inc. in Poughkeepsie. Having become a widower, Walter married Margaret (Marge) Caccamo in January of 1974 in Albany, NY. Together they operated the travel agency until November of 1989. Walter always said that running the travel agency was the most fulfilling and happiest time of his life. They visited Hawaii (his favorite destination) 17 times and made frequent trips to Aruba and Bermuda. Most of these trips were leading groups, but some were individual travel. Walter and Marge were recognized by the Aruba Travel Board for their work in promoting travel to Aruba.
After selling the travel agency in 1989, Walter and Marge retired to a home they had built in Ghent, NY (Columbia County). Here they enjoyed many happy family events. When Marge died in 2006, he moved to Dalton Farms in Poughquag, NY. In 2007, he found the third love of his life, Lucille Leverenz who became his beloved companion until her death in 2013.
Walter was also predeceased by his sister, Gail. He is survived by five sons from his first marriage: Craig, of Red Hook, NY; Walter G and his wife Tricia of Monmouth Junction, NJ; Scott of Long Island, NY; James and his wife, Judy of Poughquag, NY; Robert and his wife, Lisa of Atlanta, GA and 14 grandchildren: Stephen, Brandon, Kyle, Erin, Tyler, Courtney (Orlik) and her husband Chris, Matthew, Ryan, Brett, Lindsay, Julie, Michelle, Cassidy, and Rachel.
Walter was a member of St Denis Church in Hopewell Junction, NY. He enjoyed playing bridge, both duplicate and social, and was a member of American Contract Bridge League and Dutchess County Bridge Association. Sports were an important part of his life. He was a passionate fan of Notre Dame football and Duke basketball. Walter was a devoted family man, frequently proclaiming at family gatherings the importance of family. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was always ready for a good laugh. He often expressed a hope of his legacy would be leaving behind a family that would remain close as it expanded in the years ahead.
Donations may be made in Walter's memory to DAV #144 at Castle Point VAMC.
The family will have a private graveside service on March 25, 2023 in Albany, NY.
After graduating Ardsley High School in 1947, Walter attended the University of Notre Dame for 1 year and then transferred to Columbia College and earned a BA degree in 1951. He then attended Harvard Business School, receiving an MBA in 1953.
Walter then attended the US Navy Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI and upon completion of OCS was commissioned an Ensign in the US Navy Supply Corps. While attending the Navy Supply Corps school in Bayonne, NJ he met and married his first wife Lillian Saldon in 1954. Walter served as a Disbursing Officer on the Destroyer Tender, USS Arcadia AD23. His next and final assignment was as a Supply Officer on the USS Harwood DDE861. Both ships were stationed in Newport, RI.
Upon completion of his Naval service in 1956, he began a career in business in financial analysis, first with Campbell Soup Co. in Camden, NJ, followed by Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn, MI., Trans World Airlines NYC and Xerox Corporation in Rochester, NY.
In 1973, he acquired ownership of DUSO World Travel, Inc. in Poughkeepsie. Having become a widower, Walter married Margaret (Marge) Caccamo in January of 1974 in Albany, NY. Together they operated the travel agency until November of 1989. Walter always said that running the travel agency was the most fulfilling and happiest time of his life. They visited Hawaii (his favorite destination) 17 times and made frequent trips to Aruba and Bermuda. Most of these trips were leading groups, but some were individual travel. Walter and Marge were recognized by the Aruba Travel Board for their work in promoting travel to Aruba.
After selling the travel agency in 1989, Walter and Marge retired to a home they had built in Ghent, NY (Columbia County). Here they enjoyed many happy family events. When Marge died in 2006, he moved to Dalton Farms in Poughquag, NY. In 2007, he found the third love of his life, Lucille Leverenz who became his beloved companion until her death in 2013.
Walter was also predeceased by his sister, Gail. He is survived by five sons from his first marriage: Craig, of Red Hook, NY; Walter G and his wife Tricia of Monmouth Junction, NJ; Scott of Long Island, NY; James and his wife, Judy of Poughquag, NY; Robert and his wife, Lisa of Atlanta, GA and 14 grandchildren: Stephen, Brandon, Kyle, Erin, Tyler, Courtney (Orlik) and her husband Chris, Matthew, Ryan, Brett, Lindsay, Julie, Michelle, Cassidy, and Rachel.
Walter was a member of St Denis Church in Hopewell Junction, NY. He enjoyed playing bridge, both duplicate and social, and was a member of American Contract Bridge League and Dutchess County Bridge Association. Sports were an important part of his life. He was a passionate fan of Notre Dame football and Duke basketball. Walter was a devoted family man, frequently proclaiming at family gatherings the importance of family. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was always ready for a good laugh. He often expressed a hope of his legacy would be leaving behind a family that would remain close as it expanded in the years ahead.
Donations may be made in Walter's memory to DAV #144 at Castle Point VAMC.
The family will have a private graveside service on March 25, 2023 in Albany, NY.