WEBSTER - Donald H. Kuzdzal, 89, died Sunday, November 5, after an illness.
He leaves his wife of 68 years, Florence E. (Nezuh) Kuzdzal; a son, Kevin D. Kuzdzal and his wife Anjena of Webster; 2 grandchildren, Reanna Kuzdzal and Blake Kuzdzal. He was preceded in death by his sister Natalie Favara.
He was born in Webster on January 24, 1934 the son of Henry and Julia (Sroczenski) Kuzdzal. He was a graduate of Saint Joseph Elementary School and the 1951 class of Bartlett Vocational High School.
Mr. Kuzdzal owned his own construction company, Custom Realty. He purchased apartments and renovated and resold them. In 1972 he and his wife entered into the long-term care business, purchasing 5 facilities in the Worcester and Boston area with a combined census of 525 beds.
Donald became the CEO of 5 health care corporations. He oversaw retrofitting these facilities and between 2000 and 2008 sold them to health care conglomerates.
Retiring, he and his wife turned to philanthropic work benefitting churches in the area especially Saint Joseph Basilica. The highlights of his career included an invitation to a dinner reception for former President George W. Bush, in Washington, DC, three private audiences with Saint Pope John Paul II at the Vatican in Rome. He was commissioned by the late Pope as a trustee for the John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington, DC. He was a recipient of a bronze medal for his charitable work from Adam Cardinal Maida at a reception in Rome.
Funeral services were held privately. Burial was in Saint Joseph Garden of Peace. Donations in his memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Sitkowski, Malboeuf & Hickey Funeral Home, 340 School Street.