Henry P Kurdziel

Dr. Henry Peter Kurdziel (Hank), whose professional career of over 40 years as an educator in Ohio included serving as superintendent of schools in Canton and South Euclid-Lyndhurst, died February 19, 2025 in Willoughby, Ohio. He was 99 years old. Kurdziel’s years as school superintendent in both districts addressed major challenges, such as closing schools and downsizing staff, made necessary by reduction in population and revenue. As the Canton Repository noted in an editorial at the time Kurdziel retired from that district in 1978, Kurdziel “came to his leadership peak” by accepting the inevitable criticism that resulted from these necessary decisions, very often not his personal choice, “with the patience of Job.”

Similarly, a 1986 Sun Press article published when Kurdziel announced his retirement from the South Euclid-Lyndhurst schools, observed that Kurdziel was able to successfully closed three elementary schools and a junior high school while converting the buildings to other uses. The paper quoted community leaders as praising Kurdziel for his strength, integrity and honesty, and concluded that he was respected throughout the state as an “educator par excellence” that South Euclid-Lyndhurst was “very fortunate to have” him as its educational leader.

Kurdziel was born in Cleveland on July 24, 1925 as the only child of August and Pauline Kurdziel (nee Lacka). His family founded, owned and published the Polish Daily News (Wiadomosci Codzienne), which for over 50 years was the first and largest full-service daily newspaper for Cleveland’s Polish community. The family was also instrumental in founding and operating the Lincoln Heights Savings and Loan, both located in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood. After graduating from James Ford Rhodes High School in Cleveland in 1942, Kurdziel received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, which he was unable to accept due to his inability to meet the vision requirements at the time. Instead, he enlisted in the Army, and, because he had been focusing on science studies with a possible future as a physician, he was assigned to the Army’s medical corps and posted to Brooke Army Hospital at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. There, he served as a teacher for Army medics preparing to go overseas. When, after many months, he asked why he was not being transferred overseas himself, he was told that his commanding officer had been conveniently misplacing the transfer order so as to keep him in Texas, where he was an outstanding teacher.

After discharge, Kurdziel attended Western Reserve University in Cleveland, where he quickly received bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He later earned his Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University in 1970. Kurdziel began his education career in the Parma City School District in 1949 as a science teacher. He subsequently served as a guidance counselor, an elementary school principal, a junior high school principal and as supervisor of secondary school studies. He moved to the Canton City Schools in 1966 as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction and was named superintendent of schools in 1970, retiring from that position in 1978. He served as superintendent of schools in South Euclid-Lyndhurst from 1978 to 1986. His other professional, civic and charitable activities were numerous.

Professionally, he served on the State Superintendent’s Advisory Committee for Special  Education and was an Adjunct Professor at both Cleveland State University and University of Akron, where he taught students working to be educational administrators. He served as chairman of the Citizens Advisory Board of the Warrensville Developmental Center, which serves developmentally disabled children and adults. He is a past president of the Greater Cleveland School Board Association and past president of the Board of Directors of Positive Education Program (PEP), which addresses the needs of children with behavioral problems. His civic and community activities include being one of the founders of the Meals on Wheels program in the Hillcrest area, where he remained a volunteer for many years. He served as president of the South Euclid-Lyndhurst Kiwanis and regularly worked at both the Kiwanis pancake breakfast fundraisers and the rummage sales. He was also a board member of the Hillcrest Y and was a volunteer for the Cleveland Sight Center as a reader for the blind. He also volunteered as a Red Coat usher at Playhouse Square and, beginning with the illness of his first wife, Kathryn, was active with adult day services at Jennings, the Catholic senior care provider based in Garfield Heights, Ohio. He continued this commitment to Jennings by establishing and continuing to support the Henry P. and Kathryn A. Kurdziel Fund for the Adult Day Center.

In addition, Kurdziel was a long-standing parishioner at St. Paschal Baylon in Highland Heights, Ohio. At St Paschal’s he served as chairman of the school advisory committee and, together with Kathryn and later with his second wife Patricia, counseled couples in their preparation for marriage.

In later years, while residing at Breckinridge Village in Willoughby, Ohio, Kurdziel, who acted in community theater productions as a young man and loved attending live theater in both Cleveland and New York, organized regular sing-alongs, frequently with a seasonal or patriotic theme, which he would accompany on the piano. He also organized a 90-Plus club and was active in the social committee. Personally, he loved to travel, and did so extensively with both Kathryn and Pat. He played the piano daily up until his last months, particularly enjoying show tunes, music from the great American songbook and patriotic songs. He was an accomplished artist, painting in both watercolors and oil, and delighted his family with hand-drawn cards for all occasions. 

As noted, he married Kathryn Ann Hays (1926-2003) in 1950. Together, they were parents to five children: Paul (stillborn 1952); Steven (born 1953), Donald (born 1955), Raymond (born 1958) and Mary (born 1960). Steven (wife Karen) reside in Shaker Heights, Ohio and are parents of Annie (wife Sarah Messmer) who reside in Oak Park, Illinois and are parents of Gadafi, Hafsa, Dieudone, Nicholas and Baby Z. Donald (wife Leesa) reside in Hudson, Ohio and are parents of Christopher and Douglas. Christopher (wife Jacqueline) reside in New Canaan, Connecticut and are parents of August and Bryce. Douglas (wife Michaella) reside in Greenwich, Connecticut and are parents of Barrett and Gabriel. Raymond (husband Howard Zar) have homes in New York City and Athens, New York. Mary (husband James Morrison) reside in University Heights, Ohio and are parents of William, who resides in Columbus, Ohio. After Kathryn’s death in 2003, Kurdziel married Patricia Stevenson (1930– 2020). With this marriage, Kurdziel became stepfather of three: Janice (Jan) (born 1953); Joyce (born 1956) and Jack (born 1959). Jan (husband Louis Millazzotto) reside in Willoughby, Ohio and are parents of Steven and Adam. Steven (wife Carmin) reside in Waite Hill, Ohio and are parents of Gianna and Ellianna. Adam, who resides in Marlborough, Massachusetts, is the parent of Benjamin. Joyce Stevenson Brandt resides in Lyndhurst, Ohio. Jack (wife Welanda) reside in Swannonoa, North Carolina and are parents of Bryce and Kyler. Bryce (wife Laura) reside in Tehachapi, California. Kyler resides in San Diego, California.

FRIENDS MAY CALL AT THE MAHER MELBOURNE FUNERAL HOME, 5236 MAYFIELD ROAD, LYNDHURST (EAST OF RICHMOND ROAD) ON FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 2025 FROM 3 TO 7 PM. FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE INVITED TO GATHER FOR MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL 10 AM SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2025 AT ST. PASCHAL BAYLON CHURCH, 5384 WILSON MILLS ROAD, HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, OH 44124. Livestream available via www.church.saintpaschal.com

PRIVATE INTERMENT WILL TAKE PLACE AT HOLY CROSS CEMETERY.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Hank’s memory suggested to:

The Henry P. and Kathryn A. Kurdziel Fund for the Adult Center at The Jennings www.jenningsohio.org or

St. Paschal Baylon Parish www.church.saintpaschal.com or 

Hope Chest www.hopechestlakecounty.org