Ervin M. “Erv” Kulinski

Jan. 20, 1924 – March 8, 2010


Ervin M. “Erv” Kulinski of Waukesha died peacefully in his sleep Monday, March 8, 2010, after a lengthy illness at the age of 86. He was born Jan. 20, 1924, the son of Michael and Mary Kulinski (nee Sobocinski).

Erv attended St. Alexander Grade School and Boys Tech High before graduating from Pulaski High School. Erv proudly served his country during World War II by spending three years in the U.S. Navy Air Corps as a radioman and gunner on various naval aircraft. On Sept. 14, 1946, he married the love of his life, Virginia “Ginny” Mary Gorecki at St. Alexander’s Church in Milwaukee and enjoyed their marriage for 63 years. After the war, and while serving four years in the Naval Reserve, Erv earned a pattern-maker apprenticeship at Allis-Chalmers. In 1955, Erv and Ginny moved their family to Waukesha, where Erv started working at Quality Aluminum Foundry (now Westwood Aluminum Casting Co.) on Lincoln Avenue. Later, while working at Waukesha Rubber Co., he used his pattern-making skills to help design molds that made rubber products for the then up-and-coming RTE Corp. (now Cooper Power Systems). He was a retired Waukesha Public School custodian.

Erv was a charter member of St. William Catholic Church. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and taught everyone in his family to hunt and fish. Erv was a member of the Wisconsin House Outdoorsman Club. His friendships with farmers in the Mukwonago area – Emil Knoll, Clarence Smart and Ray Schnitzler – provided him access to lakes for fishing, fields to grow vegetables and good land on which to hunt. He was a good provider. Besides working with the family in a large backyard garden, Erv grew Concord, White Niagara and Catawba grapes for making jelly on a large arbor he built over the backyard patio. He looked forward to his many annual fishing trips to Land O’ Lakes, visiting with Ginny’s cousins Chester and Estelle Wasielewski (now deceased) and his good friends Jack and Evelyn Brandt. Erv’s greatest joy was spending time with his family.

Erv is survived by his wife, Ginny; daughter, Geralyn, who has cared for both her parents these past 15 years, ensuring their well-being; sons, Robert (Linda), Martin, Peter (Mike Shoultz), Stephen (Karen), Andy (Chris) and Norman (Loreena); grandchildren, Andy (Karma), Christy (Mike), Mike (Jessica), Caleb and Angela (Javier); and great-grandchildren, Isabella, Madelyn and Eva Marie. Erv was a very special uncle to Neal (Mary) Nampel and Trae (Jim) Artabasy. Also to Micheal Ryczek. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins, including Gertie Berg, Virginia Lontz (Frank) and Stanley Czajkowski (Gertrude); also, many friends, especially John and Marian Latus of Henderson, Nev.
Erv was preceded in death by his daughter, Kathryn; son, Norbert; parents; brother, Jerome; and two dear sisters, Florence Ryczek (and her husband, Ed) and Irene Nampel (and her husband, Bob).

Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until the 3:30 p.m. rosary service Sunday, March 14, at Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, 237 N. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha. The funeral Mass for Erv will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, March 15, at St. William Catholic Church, 440 N. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha. The Rev. Curt Frederick will be officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Waukesha. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to Waukesha Catholic School System – St. William Campus, 440 N. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha, WI 53188.

Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, Cremation and Preplanning Services is serving the family. For further information, please call 542-6609, or for directions, an online obituary or to leave a condolence, please visit www.waukeshasfuneralhome.com.