Nikola 'Nick' Kucenic

Devoted father, husband and brotherNick Kucenic, 61, passed away Saturday, September 29, at NorthCare Hospice House with his family by his side.
Nick was born November 20, 1956 in the village of Bogovci, in present day Croatia to Jure (George) and Ana Novogradac Kucenic.
Nick immigrated from Croatia to the US in 1968 with his brother Mike. In 1975 Nick graduated from Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City, Kansas. His joy of soccer lead him to be offered a position on the Comets soccer team after his High School graduation. Instead, his passions lead him to coach youth soccer for many years. He was a revered coach and mentor.
Nick worked for Harlan Global Manufacturing for 30 years. He later established a successful business of his own making custom machine parts and selling mechanical governors.
Nick married his wife, Connie Blankenship, in 1990 after a courtship of many years. They were blessed with a beautiful daughter, Melanie Ariana, in 1997.
Nick lived the American Dream having come to this country with one suitcase and no money. He was well respected in KCK, the city he always called home. He was active with many groups and organizations including a special relationship with the Hmong community. He had the ability to brighten any room he walked into with his laugh, love and one-of-kind generous nature. He always made you feel special. His entire family loved him dearly. He lived the adage that "Friends are the family we choose" with the endless friendships he fostered over the years.
Nick is survived by his father Jure, wife Connie, daughter Melanie, beloved brother Mike and sister-in-law Anne; sister Karen Porter and brother-in-law Gary and numerous other family members, extended family and friends.
Nick was preceded in death by his mother, Ana Novogradac.Visitation will be at Skradski Funeral Home in Kansas City, Kansas on Tuesday, October 2 at 5:00 p.m. The rosary will be held at 6:30. Funeral Services will be held at St. Mary-St. Anthony Church in Kansas City, Kansas at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 3. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary-St. Anthony Catholic Church.
Devoted father, husband and brotherNick Kucenic, 61, passed away Saturday, September 29, at NorthCare Hospice House with his family by his side. Nick was born November 20, 1956 in the village of Bogovci, in present day Croatia to Jure (George) and Ana Novogradac Kucenic. Nick immigrated from Croatia to the US in 1968 with his brother Mike. In 1975 Nick graduated from Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City, Kansas. His joy of soccer lead him to be offered a position on the Comets soccer team after his High School graduation. Instead, his passions lead him to coach youth soccer for many years. He was a revered coach and mentor. Nick worked for Harlan Global Manufacturing for 30 years. He later established a successful business of his own making custom machine parts and selling mechanical governors. Nick married his wife, Connie Blankenship, in 1990 after a courtship of many years. They were blessed with a beautiful daughter, Melanie Ariana, in 1997. Nick lived the American Dream having come to this country with one suitcase and no money. He was well respected in KCK, the city he always called home. He was active with many groups and organizations including a special relationship with the Hmong community. He had the ability to brighten any room he walked into with his laugh, love and one-of-kind generous nature. He always made you feel special. His entire family loved him dearly. He lived the adage that "Friends are the family we choose" with the endless friendships he fostered over the years. Nick is survived by his father Jure, wife Connie, daughter Melanie, beloved brother Mike and sister-in-law Anne; sister Karen Porter and brother-in-law Gary and numerous other family members, extended family and friends. Nick was preceded in death by his mother, Ana Novogradac.Visitation will be at Skradski Funeral Home in Kansas City, Kansas on Tuesday, October 2 at 5:00 p.m. The rosary will be held at 6:30. Funeral Services will be held at St. Mary-St. Anthony Church in Kansas City, Kansas at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 3. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary-St. Anthony Catholic Church.
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SERVICES Visitation
Tuesday, October 2, 2018 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
SKRADSKI FUNERAL HOME 340 N 6TH ST KANSAS CITY, Kansas 66101-3350
Rosary
Tuesday, October 2, 2018 6:30 PM
SKRADSKI FUNERAL HOME 340 N 6TH ST KANSAS CITY, Kansas 66101-3350
Mass of Christian Burial
Wednesday, October 3, 2018 9:00 AM
St. Mary/St. Anthony Catholic Church 615 N. 7th Kansas City, Kansas 66101
Burial
Wednesday, October 3, 2018 10:45 AM
Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery State Kansas City, Kansas