Ferdinand A. Kuczala

Ferdinand ("Ferdie") A. Kuczala, 80, of Wyomissing, passed away October 16, 2015, at Columbia Cottage.

He was the husband of Marilyn (Bixler) Kuczala, whom he married in 1958 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Reading.

Born in Reading, he was a son of the late John and Julia (Czahor) Kuczala.

He was a 1954 graduate of Reading High School, a 1958 graduate of Syracuse University; and a 1964 graduate of Temple University.

Ferdie was a standout 3-sport athlete at Reading High School who earned the Reading High School Top Athlete Award in 1954. He was a 1st Team All-Central Penn Conference selection at quarterback as well as an All-State pick his senior year. Receiving a full athletic scholarship, he went on to play football and baseball at Syracuse University. While at Syracuse he received the George Manley Scholarship, the Tao-Theta-Upsilon Service Men's Award both for Athletic and Academic Achievement and played for the legendary Ben Schwartzalder. A teammate of the great Jim Brown, Kuczala played in the 1957 Cotton Bowl and was a 3-year letter winner. An Art Education major Ferdie also was a member of the ROTC and remained in the 68th Armor 6th Medium Tank Battalion Reserve Unit until his discharge as a Captain in 1965. He began his coaching career as an assistant at Reading High School before becoming the head coach at Northeast Catholic in Philadelphia in 1965. In 1968 Ferdie started the football program at Conrad Weiser and in 1973 won his first I-C championship with an undefeated overall record of 9-0. He also won titles in 1981 and 1982 with a 20-game winning streak, the longest in the state at that time. He stepped down in 1982 after 14 seasons at Weiser with an overall record of 76-56-1. Three Inter-County titles & two undefeated seasons are credited to his accomplishments. He was named Inter-County Coach of the Year in 1973, 1981 and 1982 and named Berks County Coach of the Year in 1973 and 1982. He is a member of the Reading High Sports Hall of Fame, Conrad Weiser Athletic Hall of Fame, Southern Jr. High School Hall of Fame as well the Berks County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. In 1999 he was named to the 2nd team All-Time Berks County football team and the top quarterback of the 1950's. On August 21st, 2015 the Ridlon/Kuczala Football Recruiting Lounge was unveiled at Syracuse University. The lounge features the artwork of both players who were also art majors.

As an art educator he worked in the Reading School District for seven years; North Catholic for three years; and Conrad Weiser High School from 1967 until his retirement in 1994. He continued teaching arts and crafts at the Bethany Children's Home until 2012.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, Michael S., husband of Cynthia L. Kuczala, Wyomissing; and his two daughters: Kimberly A., wife of Troy Dell, Sinking Spring; and Kerri L., wife of Sean Conte, West Chester. Also surviving are his three siblings: John, husband of Kathy Kuczala; Frederick Kuczala, and Leona, wife of Charles Aten, all of Reading. Five grandchildren: Demi Kuczala, Scott Kuczala, Ryan Dell, Tyler Dell, and Max Conte also survive him.

Ferdinand was predeceased by six siblings: Edward, Bernard, Henry, Theresa and Bernice (Rissmiller) and Anna (Skoraszewski).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. in St. Ignatius Loyola R. C. Church, 2810 St. Albans Dr., Sinking Spring, with burial to follow in Forest Hills Memorial Park. A viewing will be held Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Ave., West Reading. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Bethany Children's Home, 1863 Bethany Rd., Womelsdorf, PA 19567. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.