IN MEMORIAM: John P. Shulkie, 70;
Decorated Vet Worked At Remington
TODDSVILLE – John Paul Shulkie, 70, a decorated Vietnam War veteran who later spent his career at Remington Arms in Ilion, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 25, 2016, at his home on Greenough Road.
He was born Aug. 22, 1946, in Queens, and spent his early years at New York Foundling Hospital. Through the kindness of Francis and Anna Kenney of Cooperstown, John came to live with and consider them his parents.
After graduating from Cooperstown Central School, Class of 1966, he entered the Army, serving during the Vietnam War. In Vietnam, Corporal Shulkie was recognized for heroism on Feb. 28, 1968, was awarded the Soldier’s Medal. On Oct. 25, 1972, Sergeant Shulkie received his honorable discharge.
On July 26 , 1970, John married the former Janet Evelyn Chmielewski in Manheim.
For many years John was employed at Remington Arms in Ilion as a machine operator on gun receivers. When he retired in 2006 he was working as a machine setter.
For over 30 years, he was a dedicated member of Hartwick Fire Department Company No. 2 in Hartwick Seminary.
John is survived by his wife of 46 years, Janet of Toddsville and their two children, John P. Shulkie, Jr. of Toddsville and Janine Shulkie of Richfield Springs. Also, his mother, Anna Kenney of Bowerstown, his mother-in-law, Evelyn Chmielewski of Toddsville; four sisters and brothers-in-law, Catherine “Rosie” and Phillip Moore of Cherry Valley, Barbara and Donald Ende of Cobleskill, Diane and Warren Bunn of Sherburne, and Patricia and Dennis Cohen of Portlandville; two brothers, Joseph Kenney and wife “Cricket” of Cooperstown, and Mike Kozak of Florida; Aunt Eleanor Hallock; brothers-in-law Walter Chmielewski and wife Tammy, and William Chmielewski and wife, Pamela; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his father, Francis E. Kenney (2002), his father-in-law, Walter Chmielewski (1994) and a brother, Francis R. “Richie” Kenney (2005).
Calling hours are 4-6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, at the funeral home, with Rev. Jack Klosheim, pastor, Community Bible Chapel in Toddsville, officiating.
To the family of John Shulkie,it has saddened me dearly to hear of John’s passing, I met John thru employment at Hunt’s gas station in Cooperstown N.Y. many years ago .Over the course of our lives we became very good friends. John was probably one of the most caring and honest Men that you could encounter. I will miss you my friend, RIP John.