| Zygmunt O'Kula, a resident of Riverhead for 62 years, died at Peconic Bay Medical Center there on July 5. He was 89 years old.
Mr. O'Kula was born on May 1, 1918, to Waclaw and Natalia (Cioteka) O'Kula in Bridgeport, Conn. In 1939 he married Rose Danowski at St. Isidore R.C. Church in Riverhead.
Mr. O'Kula, who had lived in Calverton for 23 years before moving to Riverhead, was a welder and since 1953 had been the proprietor of O'Kula's Welding.
Mr. O'Kula was a lifetime member of the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 1742 in Riverhead, a 29-year member of the Riverhead Fire Police Patrol Company, and a member of the "Ironmen" racing team that won a number of state championships. According to a family statement, Mr. O'Kula and his son had built "brush trucks" for the Riverhead, Hampton Bays, Southampton and Bridgehampton fire departments. One of their trucks is on display in a museum in upstate New York.
Predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Mr. O'Kula is survived by his children, Dorothy Lukas and Walter ("Sonny"), both of Riverhead, and Roseanne, of Ridge; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Mr. O'Kula was also predeceased by his brothers, Henry, Chester and Stanley; and his sister, Jenny Sprepski.
Visitation was on July 8 at McLaughlin-Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead. A funeral, officiated by the Rev. Kenneth Zack, took place at St. Isidore's Church on July 9, with interment at St. John's Cemetery in Riverhead. |
