Obituary of Louise A. Kucel

  On August 6, 2019, Louise A. Kucel, 65, of Gloversville, passed peacefully at the Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts following a brief illness.
     Born on July 6, 1954 in Gloversville, Louise was the daughter of the late Albert “Red” and Dorothy Louise Kucel.  She is survived by her devoted life partner of 20 years, Neil Daley, brothers, Terry Kucel (Barbara) of Gloversville, Joel Kucel (Kim) of Ruidoso, New Mexico, Kevin Kucel (Jamie) of Gloversville, and sister, Annette Sullivan (Brian), of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, and nephews and nieces (Joel, Kelli, Chad, Sarah, Tricia, Amy, A.J., Megan, Aric, Erin, Kevin, and Natalie), numerous Kucel cousins including dear friends, Ronnie and Barbara Kucel, and great nieces and nephews.  She is predeceased by her great niece, Taylor Kucel, who was very special to her.
      Louise graduated from Gloversville High School in 1972.  In the following years, she joined the family leather business started by her father, Red Kucel, Crescent Leather / Townsend Leather and worked there as a bookkeeper, a customer service representative, and shipping manager.  Louise celebrated her 35th anniversary with the company earlier this year.  She was well-respected for her work ethic and dedication during her long career in the leather industry.  
     Louise was a passionate organizer and carefully lead and orchestrated many different events with great attention to detail.  She was a member of the Concordia Club and the Moose through the years, organizing many dinners, Christmas parties, game nights, and pitch tournaments.  At Townsend Leather, Louise was known as the voice of the company and started potlucks, collections, and fundraisers for partners in their time of need.   She attended to special dietary needs of all and made sure everyone had what they needed to have a good time.
     Louise’s care and compassion touched the larger community but started first with her own family.  Last summer, Louise organized a Kucel Cousins Reunion which was attended by over a hundred family members from across the country and created and published a Family Reunion album to commemorate the event.  Louise was especially proud of a successful fundraiser she organized in 2015 for her great niece Taylor who courageously battled cancer.  Louise was extremely proud of her nephews and nieces and attended their sporting events as their biggest fan.   
     She carried on her mother’s tradition of cooking and canning, making fresh strawberry jam, pickles, baked beans, and chili relish.  She brought fresh garden salads and made food for her shipping team regularly and loved the now annual family polish kielbasa-making night.  
      Louise’s hobbies and happiest days were spent watching Neil play golf or watching the Cowboys play football, baking banana bread, or watching her favorite contestants on American Idol or Adam Levine on The Voice.  She enjoyed vacations to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with Neil and cousins Ronnie and Barb Kucel where she spent time reading books by the pool.
     Louise organized many bus trips to casinos and enjoyed playing the slots and Bingo and loved her scratch-offs and Mega Millions drawings.  
     Louise would call in birthday announcements of loved ones to WENT Radio and helped search for unclaimed funds owed to others.  She was always thinking of others and ways to help them and make them feel special, treating their families as her own.
      Louise had several nicknames.  Her father called her “Till.” Many called her “Weeze” or Weezie”.  Others affectionately called her “Sarge” in reference to her take charge nature.  
      Louise’s strong presence, kindness, and loyalty to all she loved will be greatly missed by many but never forgotten.  
     A memorial service for family will be held this week.  A Celebration of Life will take place at the Concordia Club, Sunday, September 15th from noon to 4:00 PM and will be open to all who knew Louise.

     In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Louise’s name to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital online or mailed directly to: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

    Arrangements have been entrusted to Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, Gloversville.