Anthony Kulchar, a hardworking and trustworthy man, will be missed throughout school district and community.
By: Melissa Hayes
Anthony Kulchar was the type of employee who never missed a day of work or complained about his job, a gentleman who was dedicated to the schools and will be sorely missed, his co-workers say.
Mr. Kulchar, 55, who lived in Milltown and worked as a head custodian in the district for 20 years, died Sunday morning while working at Brunswick Acres School, said Detective James Ryan, spokesman for the South Brunswick Police Department.
Detective Ryan said Mr. Kulchar collapsed and efforts by the police department and Kendall Park First Aid and Rescue Squad to revive him were unsuccessful.
Detective Ryan was uncertain of the cause of death, but school officials say it was not work related and that he had not begun removing snow.
"Tony was at Brunswick Acres on Sunday with another custodian. They met inside the building and went outside to clear the snow. They weren’t even outside of the building for five minutes," said Rebecca Leonard, district public information officer.
"The other custodian started the snow blower and Tony was to follow behind him picking up residual snow."
She said the other custodian had started the snowblower, turned around and saw Mr. Kulchar was on the ground. School officials, co-workers and friends said they’ll remember Mr. Kulchar as a dedicated individual who would do anything to help.
"He had a commitment to this district second to none," Superintendent Gary McCartney said. "He was a terrific worker and never missed work."
David Klein, supervisor of buildings and grounds, worked with Mr. Kulchar for many years, first as a co-worker and most recently as his boss.
"In 1996 I was working as a substitute custodian here in the district," Mr. Klein said. "I was a full-time teacher in Franklin Township supplementing my income by working at night as a custodian. That’s where I first met Tony, at Crossroads North, which used to be the Upper Elementary School," he said.
Mr. Klein said Mr. Kulchar was a night-shift custodian in the Crossroads North building for 15 years. He said that when the district needed a roving custodian five years ago, Mr. Kulchar was happy to take the position and has filled in wherever needed ever since.
"He was the kind of guy that came to work everyday, never complained, did whatever it was that was asked of him, was very reliable, dependable, trustworthy," Mr. Klein said.
Mr. Klein said the district had planned to recognize Mr. for his 20 years of service on Feb. 14.
He said he wrote a brief statement about Mr. Kulchar’s service to the district that he had planned on reading in February.
Quoting from that statement, he said Mr. Kulchar was a "loyal and dedicated employee. He possessed all of the key attributes that an employer looks for and appreciates."
John Longo, who held Mr. Klein’s position before he retired two years ago, remembers Mr. Kulchar as a model employee.
"He was a nice person. I never had any problems with the guy. I think the best way to put it in my interactions with him was he was very pleasant, respectful and did anything we would ask him to do," Mr. Longo said. "Best way to put it, I never had to discipline him in 20 years."
Mr. Longo remembers talking with Mr. Kulchar about his hobbies from time to time.
"He was interested in boating and fishing. Once in a while we’d get together and talk about that," he said.
District officials expressed their sympathies to Mr. Kulchar’s family.
"We certainly pass on our condolences to his family. He will be missed," Dr. McCartney said.
Mr. Longo said Mr. Kulchar’s death is a loss to the district.
"I am very sorry for the family’s loss and the district. He was a very good employee," he said.
"Tony will be remembered as a true gentleman," Mr. Klein said.
Mr. Kulchar was born in South Brunswick. Prior to working for the district he served in the Marine Corps and was a member of the American Legion Post 401 in South Brunswick.
The family will receive friends today (Thursday) from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Bronson & Guthlein Funeral Home on N. Main Street in Milltown. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. tomorrow. Final disposition will be private.