Edward Kuzma

Dr. Edward Kuzma passed away at the age of 89 on Monday, January 25, 2021, at his home in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida surrounded by his loving wife, children and grandchildren. Edward is survived by his wife of 64 years, Doris, their daughter Susan Kuzma Schwed and her husband Stephen Schwed, their son Thomas Kuzma and their son Dr. Michael Kuzma and his wife Rhonda. Loving grandchildren, Stephanie and Erica Schwed, Brandon and Rachel Grace Kuzma and their mother Lori Quinlan, Caden (Hailey), Alec and Brianna Kuzma. A funeral mass open to everyone will be held on Saturday, May 29, 2021, at 11:00am at St. Peter Catholic Church in Jupiter, Florida. For those unable to attend in person a live stream of the mass will be available on www.stpeterjupiter.com Biography of Dr. Edward Kuzma Born July 3, 1931, in Jersey City, New Jersey. Parents: Michael and Barbara Kuzma were born in Czechoslovakia, married in 1926. Together they immigrated to America in 1926 to raise a family in hope of a better life. Edward grew up in Jersey City, New Jersey with the exception of 4 years from 1934 – 1938 when a pregnant Barbara Kuzma moved back to Czechoslovakia with their 3 children, Mary, Edward and Helen, to escape the hardships of the great depression. Barbara delivered Ann in Czechoslovakia. Michael Kuzma stayed in America to work and send money to help support his family. Once reunited in America they later welcomed their 5th child, Robert who was 10 years younger than Edward. Edward attended grade school and high school in Jersey City, New Jersey. He was selected to join the New Jersey All State Concert Choir for his excellent singing voice. He was a good young actor and had the leading role in school plays. Edward was very artistic and a good athlete. Throughout his life Edward sang in choral groups. Edward was baptized and raised in a family that practiced the Byzantine Catholic faith (also known as Greek Catholic, Eastern Rite) Church. The family celebrated their ethnic heritage and traditions centered around polka music and foods from Slovakia. Edward was raised to respect and honor family values. He was a kind, generous, friendly and thoughtful young man. Edward attended Jersey City Junior College in Jersey City, New Jersey from 1950-1952. Edward met Doris Taraska from Newark, New Jersey in 1952 at a Polish dance and they started seeing one another. Edward joined the US Navy in 1952. He was stationed in Bainbridge, Maryland for 2 years. He went through basic training and worked as a Corpsman in a military hospital. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1954. In 1954 Edward went to work for an air conditioning company in Newark, New Jersey. Edward married Doris Taraska on November 10, 1956, in Newark, New Jersey. They moved in with Doris’ parents in Springfield, New Jersey to help save money as newlyweds. A year later Edward stopped working for the air conditioning company and decided he wanted to become a dentist. He enrolled at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey for 1 year to complete his pre-requisites to apply to Seton Hall Dental School in Jersey City, New Jersey. In 1958 Edward was accepted to Seton Hall Dental School and graduated in June of 1962. While attending dental school, Edward and Doris welcomed their daughter Susan, born August 27th, 1959, and son Thomas, born November 7, 1960. They still lived with Doris’ parents in Springfield, New Jersey. In June of 1962, Edward joined the US Public Health Service for a 1-year dental internship. The family moved with him to Baltimore, Maryland. A year later Edward was transferred and assigned to the US Coast Guard base in Yorktown, Virginia. His title was Chief Dental Officer of the Dental Clinic. While stationed in Yorktown, Virginia their son Michael was born on April 7, 1966. Edward and Doris enjoyed participating in all base functions and activities and made lifelong great friendships. In 1967, Edward and his family were transferred to Honolulu, Hawaii where Edward was put in charge of the Coast Guard Dental Clinic on Sand Island next to Pearl Harbor. The family lived in Kailua, Hawaii and purchased a private home where they lived for 4 years. Edward, Doris, Susan, Tom and Mike loved living in Hawaii and traveling to see the outer islands together. In 1970 Doris and Edward traveled to Japan for Expo 70 without their children. In 1971, Edward applied and was accepted to the University of Washington in Seattle for a twoyear program specializing in Endodontics. The family purchased a home in Kirkland, Washington. The family enjoyed learning to snow ski and traveled throughout parts of Western Canada. They visited Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia. In 1973, after completing the endodontic program, Edward was transferred back to the US Coast Guard base in Portsmouth, Virginia where he was in charge of the Dental Clinic. The family purchased a home in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The family enjoyed being back on the East Coast and closer to family in New Jersey. Edward enjoyed singing with the Virginia Beach Chorale and enjoying special time with family and friends. On July 4, 1977, the family moved to Cape May, New Jersey when Edward was assigned to the US Coast Guard Recruit Training Center. He was in charge of the Dental Clinic. In October of 1984 he retired as Captain from the US Coast Guard and US Public Health Service and the family remained in Cape May. Edward took a part time job as an Endodontist with a private practice. He did that until he retired in December 2000 at age 70. After retirement Edward and Doris enjoyed extensive travel. Edward and Doris were fortunate to travel to Spain, Island of Gilbrata, Scotland, Ireland, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Italy and other parts of Europe. They made lifelong friends everywhere they lived and while in Cape May he sang in choral groups and an acapella group. Edward was active in the Cape May Rotary. In 2004, Edward and Doris purchased a 2nd home in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and enjoyed the Winter Season with their local family. They continued to travel to Aruba every March for more than 35 years where they had made many friends. In August 2017, Edward survived a fall that caused a traumatic brain injury. In November of 2017 they moved to their Florida home on a full-time basis due to health reasons and to be near their family year-round. Edward was diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. He enjoyed 3 more wonderful years in their Palm Beach Gardens home and had a loving, supportive family caregiving network as his disease progressed. On Monday, January 25, 2021, at the age of 89, Edward passed away at his home in Palm Beach Gardens surrounded by his loving wife, children and grandchildren. Edward was a man of God and a faithful servant. He was a devoted and loving husband for 64 years. He was loved and adored by his children and grandchildren. Edward was a deeply devoted family man. He was the most kind, patient, thoughtful and fun-loving father and grandfather. He always had a smile on his face and a joking fun-loving spirit about him. He taught all of us the value of honoring and respecting others and always expressing unconditional love. Edward is survived by his wife Doris, their daughter Susan Kuzma Schwed and her husband Stephen Schwed, their son Thomas Kuzma and their son Dr. Michael Kuzma and his wife Rhonda Kuzma. Loving grandchildren, Stephanie and Erica Schwed, Brandon and Rachel Grace Kuzma and their mother Lori Quinlan, Caden (Hailey), Alec and Brianna Kuzma. Edward will be loved and missed by all who were blessed to know him.

Edward Kuzma

July 3, 1931 - January 25, 2021