Chester Steve “Chet” Kurkowiak, age 47 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, at Hunterdon Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family.

Born at Hunterdon Medical Center on March 27, 1975, he was the son of Betty Galando Kelemen and the late Chester Steven Kurkowiak.

A lifelong area resident, Chet was a proud heavy equipment operator for several area companies over the years and was extremely proud of his service helping areas affected by natural disasters. His work in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Irma made a last impression on his spirit, and his efforts there helped countless people.

With a passion for the outdoors, Chet loved to be outside enjoying nature. Having a mechanical ingenuity second to none, he loved “big toys” and enjoyed motorcycles, trucks and just tinkering around. Stock car racing and memories of the old Flemington Speedway were always top of mind, and he loved heading to a demolition derby wherever he could find one and work in the pit crew.

Thoughtful and caring, he was an amazing storyteller and conversationalist, and just enjoyed being around people. He loved the women in his life immensely, from his mother to his five daughters, each held a special place in his heart. That heart was broken though on May 29 of this year, when his fiancé, Carly London Gardner Zakrzewski, passed away. The two are surely in heaven together, laughing and living the life they both dreamed.

As a final act of love towards others, Chet was able to give the gift of life via organ and tissue donation. His caring heart will continue to beat on…

In addition to his father, Chester, and fiancé, Carly, Chet was preceded in death by his cousin, Brian, and his uncle, Richard.

Surviving, in addition to his mother, are his five daughters, Lizzy and her husband, Mike Boizne, Amber Beach, Casey Walton, Lexi Walton, and Tiffany Kurkowiak; his siblings, Kim Horner and Steve Kurkowiak; his aunts and uncles, Shirley Cannella, Lorraine and Bill Souza, Marie and Barry Nansen, Helena Kirchner, Leika Pachoma, and Diane Layton; his beloved dogs, Bella and Daisy; several extended family members; and many dear friends.

All are invited to join the family for a gathering on Saturday, August 20, 2022, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

A life celebration service will follow the gathering on Saturday, August 20, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home. All are welcome to attend. If you would like to share a story and/or thoughts about Chet for possible inclusion in the service, please click HERE to send an email to the funeral home with your words. Kindly include your contact information.

Interment will be private.

You are encouraged to visit Chet’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

Memorial contributions in his honor may be made to the New Jersey Sharing Network, 691 Central Avenue, New Providence, NJ 07974, or online by clicking HERE.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

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