Archpriest Paul Kucynda, age 81, recently of Jackson NJ, former priest of Holy Resurrection Church in Wayne, NJ from 1968 through 2019, fell asleep in the Lord on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
He was born and raised in Charleroi, PA to William Kucynda & Elizabeth Huri. In his youth Paul attended Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Charleroi (often walking there himself) where Archpriest Gregory Soroka was a huge influence in his calling to the priesthood. From a young age Paul was destined to be a priest. A story shared by his sister Charlotte with whom he had a special and close relationship, describes how he, as a child, for fun, fashioned his own blessing kit, complete with brush and bowl for holy water. Regardless the time of year, he would set up Easter baskets to practice blessing them.
Young Paul was fortunate to also have a large extended family nearby. In addition to his grandparents, he was especially close with his aunts Julia, Ann and Mary, uncles Wasil, Stephen, Walter, Joe and Theodore, along with Pete and Martha Yaros all of whom played important roles is his early life.
A vignette, shared by his son Tim, further illustrating his Dad’s true nature:
Later in his youth, always energetic and hard working, he walked up and down the steep streets of his hometown delivering newspapers every day. Recently while on vacation together, when Tim asked what he did with the money he was able to save from those years of tedious work. His reply was unexpected but characteristic: “I bought Bubby and Pap (his mom and Dad) a porch swing.”
Before graduating high school, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout by researching and explaining Orthodoxy in conjunction with Fr Vladimir Soroka. Upon graduation from the Charleroi High School uncles Joe and Theodore helped financially, making it possible for him to further his education. At the age of 18 Paul left Charleroi for New York. He went to NYU (New York University) where he received his bachelor’s degree and then upon graduating went to Saint Vladimir’s Seminary in Yonkers, NY where he received a Masters of Divinity and was ordained on January 7, 1968.
One of the highlights of his time at seminary (and of his life) was being a member of the octet and touring the country. While on tour Paul met Barbara Kuntzevich at her parish, Holy Trinity Orthodox church in Brooklyn. Barbara would reminisce of how, while serving water to the seminarians at dinner, Paul kept playfully sliding his glass to the side while she was attempting to pour causing her to stop and re-start. Eventually Barbara simply poured the water onto the table (an appropriate touche’ considering she fenced while in college). They eventually fell in love and Paul gave her an engagement ring, September 13, 1965. They married on June 11, 1967 at Barbara’s parish, Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, and honeymooned in Bermuda. They enjoyed a devoted marriage of over fifty years before Barbara’s passing on February 16, 2018.
The young priest and his Matushka Barbara were assigned shortly after his ordination to the Holy Resurrection Orthodox Parish in Wayne, NJ. They started out with just 12 families and three acres of land, originally holding church services in the rectory. Over the last 50 years Father Paul and Matush-ka Barbara ( endearingly known as Motch ) have built a church, served the community, and grown a vital parish family. Always a thriving church community, Holy Resurrection spreads Christ’s message of love and opens it’s doors to all who come in faith.
Father Paul was a man whose deep faith in others—shaped a life of remarkable compassion, humility, and service. He consistently placed the needs of others before his own, living unselfishly and generously in both word and deed. As a pastor for over fifty years, Father Paul embodied the true spirit of ministry—not just from his fervent love of serving, preaching and teaching, but in his daily walk with people. His fatherly and grandfatherly presence brought comfort, guidance, and a sense of belonging to all who knew him. At some point Father Paul mentioned having an affinity for Polar bears. This innocent declaration snowballed into a decades-long amassing of polar bear figurines lovingly gifted to him by parishioners, friends and family. They were both the crown jewels and the welcome committee predominantly displayed at the front of his office desk in the church rectory, a rectory in which no matter the time or day, the phone was always answered and the door always open to anyone he could help.
A true shepherd, his legacy lives on in the way his church family warmly embraced the pastor who succeeded him—a testament to the strength of his teachings and the inclusive community he nurtured. Father Paul was also a hands-on servant, never above getting his hands dirty. He took great pride in the yard work around the church, even gaining a new member one day when someone asked the gardener about the church, only to discover they were speaking with Father Paul himself.
Outside of his pastoral duties, he cherished his wife Matushka Barbara and son Tim putting his whole heart into being the best husband and father he could be, always striving for their happiness and well being.
Lastly, he gave the best hugs, loved family trips, apple pie and popcorn - comedy shows, gardening, feeding the birds and post-it notes. In his retirement he particularly loved beach vacations, channeling his inner Eagle Scout he thoughtfully outfitted his own beach cart with everything one might need for a perfect day “down the shore”—organized, prepared, and full of joy, just like the life he led.
Most of all, he loved being a priest because it gave him the chance to love and be loved by you.
The services for Father Paul is as follows. Services will take place at Holy Resurrection Church, 285 French Hill Road, Wayne, NJ 07470.
Monday, July 21
2:00 – 7:00 PM Visitation
7:00 PM Funeral of a Priest – Archbishop Michael, Celebrant
Archbishop Michael welcomes clergy to serve. White vestments will be worn.
Tuesday, July 22
9:00 AM Divine Liturgy
1:30 PM Burial follows, at St. Vladimir Cemetery, 316 Cassville Road, Jackson, NJ 0852
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Holy Resurrection Church, 285 French Hill Road, Wayne, NJ 07470.
May Father Paul’s memory be eternal!