Kenneth William Kudla

The Kudla family is postponing the celebration of Ken's life that had been planned for August 26, 2021.

Kenneth William Kudla, age 56, of Wayne passed suddenly and unexpectedly on Tuesday, June 15, 2021.

Kenneth was born in Passaic and raised in Wayne, NJ and was the fourth oldest of six children and the only son to William and Mary Kudla.  Over the years, Kenneth was affectionately known to his family and friends as “Kenny.”  While growing up in Wayne, Kenny attended Passaic County Technical Institute where he studied “Small Engine Repair.”  Following his graduation from Passaic County Tech in 1982, Kenny moved out to California to live with his sister Barbara.  While living in California, Kenny’s sister Barbara taught him the trade of carpentry and construction.   After living there for about a year, Kenny moved back to Wayne, New Jersey where he accepted a position in construction with Boothney Builders based in Wayne.  Kenny was employed with Boothney Builders for several years.  Later, Kenny moved back in with his parents where he served as a companion and caregiver to his mother and father until their passing’s.

Kenny truly enjoyed working with his hands and was a talented and creative individual.  Over the years, Kenny built a number of birdhouses and other woodworking projects for himself and his family.  He also had a passion for remote control cars and could often be found at Garret Mountain in Clifton where he would race and toy around with them.  Throughout his life, Kenny cherished building, rebuilding, and repairing his RC Car collection.  He was an outdoorsman of sorts in the fact that enjoyed camping with his father in Highpoint, NJ as well as fishing when he was younger.  During the summer while Kenny was growing up, his parents and his sisters frequented the Jersey Shore at Seaside Park for family vacations.

Kenny was robust in his beliefs and strong willed.  He was a tough and resilient individual and could quite often be rather convincing, persuasive and compelling.  Although family and friends would often try to provide him with advice and guidance, Kenny was his own man, independent, and lived life his own way.  Aside from all of Kenny interests and hobbies, his greatest passion was for his family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Kenny than spending time with his family and friends.  Kenny’s family refers to his unexpected passing as “losing one of the spokes in the family wheel.”

Kenny was a genuinely special person who touched the lives of everyone around him and will be missed by his family and friends alike.  His family has said that if Kenny had any last words, they would probably be a quote from his favorite song, “I’m as free as a bird now.”

Kenny is survived by his five sisters; Marion Velechko of Toms River, NJ, Patricia Kudla of Tuxedo, NY, Barbara Rissman and her husband Craig of Tionesta, CA, Kim Kudla of Warwick, NY, and Darlene Grasso and her husband James of Highland Lakes, NJ, and several nieces and nephews.  Kenny was predeceased by his parents William and Mary Kulda.    

Kenneth Kudla - I am a free spirit, admire me and fly with me.