Leverett, Jerzy “George” Kokurewicz, 91, passed away peacefully on June 22, where he was lovingly cared for at home by his daughter and son-in-law, Annette and Dean Cycon, and his beloved granddaughters, Sarah and Aliya Cycon.

George was born in Lvov, Poland on October 12, 1926. He lived through both the Russian invasion, and Nazi occupation of Poland in World War II. After the war he resettled in London, England, with many other Polish refugees. There he met the love of his life, Wanda, married in 1951 and had a son, Jerzy Kokurewicz.

The family immigrated to the U.S. in 1953, but because of the ongoing Korean War, moved to Canada, where they lived for the next 5 years. In 1958, the family returned to the U.S. with their new daughter, Annette, and settled in Connecticut.

George worked as an engineer, taught mathematics and engineering, while completing his college education at night. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Central Connecticut State College then went on to complete a Master’s in Education from Wesleyan University, in Middletown, CT. At the same time, George and Wanda were prolific and successful artists, exhibiting their paintings and sculptures in CT and New York City, including a show with Salvadore Dali.

George became an American citizen in 1972. He was an art teacher at Haddam-Killingworth High School, for 15 years, where his passion for teaching inspired many young people. George and Wanda built a pottery business, Garnki Pottery, which thrived for more than 40 years, and put both of their children through college. George also inspired his family to love the wild outdoors, especially camping, kayaking and hiking in remote places in Canada and the U.S.

After retiring, they moved to New Salem, MA where they spent the next happy decade next door to their daughter, son-in-law and granddaughters, and close to their son, Jerzy. After the death of his wife in 2014, George moved in with his daughter and son-in-law where he lived happily embraced by community and family, sunshine, birds and the occasional black bear. George was an artist, a teacher, a free spirit, a seeker and an intellect but more importantly a warm, loving, inclusive and welcoming man. Even if he forgot your name or how he knew you, he would greet you like a best friend and offer you a Kit Kat.

George is survived by his son, Jerzy Kokurewicz of Haiku, Maui, his daughter, Annette Cycon, son-in-law, Dean Cycon of Leverett, MA and his two young adult granddaughters, Sarah and Aliya.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Tuesday June 26^th at The Newman Catholic Center at the University of Massachusetts, 472 N Pleasant St Amherst, MA at 10:30 a.m., followed by burial at Wildwood Cemetery, Amherst and a celebration of his life at the home of Dean, Annette, Sarah and Aliya, 9 Cemetery Rd Leverett. As was his style, everyone is welcome.

Special thanks to Hospice of Cooley Dickenson for supporting us in caring for Papa.