Rochester, NY: On October 6, 2023, James “Jim” Paul Kurycki lost his battle for life.
Jim was born on January 26, 1954. From his early life in Rochester, Jim’s interests always seemed to involve fire trucks and the fire service. Birthday and Christmas gifts were always fire-related. Fire trucks, helmets, puzzles, books. He even received a Keystone ride-on water tower toy truck. Anytime he heard sirens coming from Clinton Avenue or downtown, he was out of the house with his Kodak Brownie camera. At age 16 he joined Barnard Fire Explorers, becoming their advisor when he aged out. In the ‘80s Jim purchased a home near Churchville and immediately joined the Churchville Volunteer Fire Department. From that point on the Churchville Fire Dept and Kodak were his life.
In 1989 Jim married Maria Kiereck, and together they served their communities. They were blessed with two children, Michael and John. Michael and Maria were also members of the Churchville Volunteer Fire Dept.
Jim always loved being on the front lines and kept his head in dangerous situations even during his time as Chief. After 40 years in the service, he was forced to slow down because of medical reasons but continued proving his love for the fire industry through his years of training younger generations in Fire Safety, Pump Operations, Fire Prevention etc. Fire Prevention month was another love of Jims and bringing Fire Safety education to area schools. This was his true passion – home safety and firematics during October Fire Safety Open Houses, showing people the proper use of fire extinguishers and home fire safety.
Jim lost his life partner Maria in 2010 and his son Michael in 2019, but still continued to be involved in both the modern fire service and the historical fire service. Jim was a National Director of The Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motorized Fire Apparatus in America. Jim also was the current President of the Genesee Valley Chapter of SPAAMFAA.
He will be missed not only by his family but the communities and organizations that he served.
In Lieu of flowers, please send donations to Camp Good Days & Special Times and/or Genesee Valley Chapter of SPAAMFAA.
Jim’s Celebration of life will be held on November 18th, 2023 at the Churchville Volunteer Fire Dept, 24 Washington St, Churchville, NY 14428. The service will start at 10am. After service and soft reset, Food and Beverages will be available. Fritz’s Polka band will be playing from Noon-2pm. Feel free to bring an old truck/car if not winterized as Jim did love old iron!
Going to miss my friend and brother. At any muster you could find Jim helping someone out.
RIP Chief
Jim was a good friend and mentor to many. His appreciation for the history of the fire service especially with apparatus, was well respected by many. Jim was always very involved with the fire service when it came to when the pagers went off. Working to do everything he could do. Being Chief was one of his goals, which he represented well. RIP Chief!!
Jim was my younger cousin, who I will miss terribly. He was a great cousin, brother, husband and father. Anyone who knew Jim will miss him greatly. RIP Jim, you are now with your mother and father, wife and son. Say hello to the rest of the family when you get there.
Jim was our Best Man. He fit the role perfectly. Took many Ambulance Calls with him. I will surely miss Jim. The last few years have been very rough but you still had that smile. We will miss you. Give Maria and Mike a big hug for me.
RIP Chief.
Jim was a very good Chief but he was a much better person. I was always pleased when we responded to Building 65 at Kodak Park, and were met by Jim. I knew then we would get the information we needed without any problem so that we could find or fix the problem. Jim was always positive even when the situation was not great. This positive outlook was contagious to everyone around. Jim, thank you for being you. God Bless.
Jim was one of the kindest people I ever met. Loved helping out at our neighbor FD at Churchville. When picking up a student at the grade school in Churchville, whose smiling face did I have to open the back door for? Jim-in his element for Fire Pevention ❤️