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 Middletown, N.Y.

Edward M. Kurdyla Sr. died at home on Monday, April 15, 2002. He was 78 years old.

The son of the late Michael I. and Josephine Kurdyla, he was born in Newark, N.J., on October 13, 1923, and was a seventy-year resident of the area. A retired accountant/comptroller for Master Rule/Lufkin Rule Manufacturing Company, he was a long-time volunteer and activist in several community organizations.

 Educated in Goshen Schools, he was a decorated veteran of World War II, where he served as a sergeant in the 4th Marine Division and participated in the battles of Iwo Jima, Saipan, Tinian, and Roi Nemur. He later was instrumental in founding the Marine Corps League Detachment 236, Middletown, of which he was a charter and lifetime member.

He was past-president of the Middletown Lions Club where he was active in its early cornea transplant program. A long-time member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, he later became a member and supporter of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

He was a founder and active member of the Friends of Middletown Thrall Library and served as its treasurer for seven years. Along with his wife, he was honored with Friends First annual Outstanding Activity Award in 2002.

Survivors include his loving wife of 54 years, Ruth Kurdyla of Middletown; his daughter, Linda Zuclich and her husband, Tyler Etzel Jr., of Monroe; his son, Edward and his wife, Lisa, of Denver; two grandsons, Jason A. Zuclich and his wife, Melissa and Eric J. Zuclich and his wife, Gloria, and his great-granddaughter, Allison Lynne Zuclich, all of Middletown; three brothers, Al and his wife, Adele of Middletown, Walter and his wife, Virginia, of Pine Island and Michael and his wife, Penny, of Thompson Ridge; and one sister, Genevieve Dabal of Garfield, N.J. He was predeceased by his brother, Chester Kurdyla.