Obituary of Kurt H. Zakrzewski

FRANKFORT – With deepest sorrow we announce that Kurt H. Zakrzewski, age 49, our most beloved son, brother, nephew and cousin, passed on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at Faxton-St. Luke’s Hospital. Born on May 8, 1971, in Ilion, Kurt is the beloved son of Florence (Farouche) Zakrzewski and Henry and Ida Zakrzewski. Kurt graduated from Frankfort-Schuyler High School in 1989 and went on to work for 20 years as heavy equipment mechanic with the New York State Department of Transportation; a career in which he made many wonderful friends. Kurt loved working on cars, snowmobiling and boating on Canadarago Lake where he spent his summers with his beloved grandparents, the late Anthony and Josephine Farouche. He had a special way of making everyone feel comfortable and welcomed. His witty humor, quick jokes that would leave you in tears, on-the-spot comedy and his contagious, mischievous laugh, will be forever missed by all. Kurt was a true animal lover and shared a strong bond with his special, rescued canine companions over the years. He was also a very talented and passionate cook. He loved to create special dishes for all his friends and family at parties and on holidays. His secret-recipe homemade macaroni and cheese, award winning pulled pork and his potato salad, are just a few of his famous dishes that will never be replicated. Kurt also continued on the family tradition of making his Grandma Farouche’s Italian Cucciadati cookies with his mother and family each Christmas season. Surviving Kurt are his beloved parents, Florence Zakrzewski of Frankfort and Henry and Ida Zakrzewski of Cold Brook; his loving sister, Wendy Grates; his niece, Bryce Grates and nephew, Brendon Grates; his many aunts and uncles, especially Philip and Patricia Farouche, Mae (Farouche) Listovtich and husband, Mark, and Don Farouche; and his loving cousins, Ashley (Listovitch) Juliano and husband, Anthony, Rachelle (Listovitch) Armstrong and husband, Luke, Heather (Farouche) Scialdo, Tony and Autumn Farouche, Alexa Juliano, Anthony Juliano, Dominick Scialdo, Demi Scialdo and Anthony Farouche. He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Anthony and Josephine Farouche and his paternal grandparents, Paul and Victoria Zakrzewski. A special thank you is extended to Dr. Ghassan Koussa of MVHS Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care Group, for his compassion and support during Kurt’s final days. In keeping with Kurt’s wishes, his earthly remains will be cremated. A Memorial Mass will take place at a later date and time. For those wishing to do so, please consider memorial contributions in Kurt’s name to the Herkimer County Humane Society, PO Box 73, Mohawk, NY 13407. “Kurtie, you left us far too soon, never knowing how much you were loved and how very much you will be so sadly missed. Fly high, Kurtie…” Kurt’s final wishes have been entrusted to the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, Town of Frankfort, Ilion, NY (315) 894-8000, Harry and Kevin Enea and Martin L. Ciaccia, Funeral Directors. Online notes of sympathy may be left at www.eneafamily.com.