Recordpub.com - John Kuklisin saluted as Streetsboro Citizen of the Year

Citizen of

the Year in

Streetsboro

Chamber salutes

John Kuklisin

by Bob Gaetjens

The Gateway News Editor

STREETSBORO — John Kuklisin, the city’s water superintendent and assistant public service director, an active volunteer, father and husband, now has another title — Citizen of the Year.

Nominated by Streetsboro Police Chief Richard A. Taiclet, Kuklisin received the award Thursday from the Streetsboro Area Chamber of Commerce at the chamber’s annual awards night and banquet at St. Joan of Arc Church.

“John has been a dedicated city employee for 15 years,” said Taiclet, a two-time winner of the award. “He may be a little guy, but he has a big heart.”

Taiclet cited Kuklisin’s volunteerism serving Streetsboro Family Days, Classic Car Cruise-ins, the Streetsboro Rib Fest, Shop With a Cop, Toys for Tots, Coats for Kids, Secret Santa deliveries, holiday turkey and ham deliveries, sports booster organizations, and charity motorcycle rallies.

Kuklisin said he was surprised he won the annual award.

He thanked his wife and family for their support of all his activities.

“I do all these things because I enjoy it, and my family always supports what I do,” he said.

Kuklisin said he’s proud of the work he did for Reinard’s Towing in the 1980s, winning the yearly AAA Good Guy Award several times for excellent service on AAA emergency calls.

He also said he enjoys charity rides with the Cleveland Hog Chapter, an organization of Harley-Davidson owners. He said the group has done charity rides for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, for fighting leukemia, for Coats For Kids and Shoes For Kids, and other causes.

Streetsboro Family Days Chair Chuck Kocisko said Kuklisin is a reliable, hard-working volunteer for Streetsboro Family Days.

“John is very resourceful for our organization,” said Kocisko. “If we need a truck or some other equipment, he just gets it.”

Kuklisin’s son and daughter also spoke during the presentation.

“He’s a hard-working man I’m proud to call my Dad,” said son Sean Kuklisin.

Nikki, Kuklisin’s daughter, said spending time with her father has nurtured her sense of responsibility to the community.

“One year, we went to eight different stores looking for presents to give to people [for Secret Santa],” she said, adding she now participates in Shop With A Cop. “I love my dad, and wouldn’t be who I am without him, and neither would this community.”

Other award winners

Also winning awards were Robinson Health Center at Streetsboro, which won the Image Award, given to recognize “businesses, individuals and development projects related to economic retention, creating of new facilities, and revinvesting in Streetsboro.

Accepting on the health center’s behalf was Jane Davis, the facility’s manager.

Winning the Small Business Person of the Year Award was Dr. Martin W. Layman, who award presenter Bruce Felber said has been very supportive of chamber programs this year.

New this year was the President’s Award, presented by Chamber Board President Bill Griffith. Griffith said the award is going to Deluxe Business Services Plant Manager Kevin Buck. Deluxe has been a great service to the chamber and community, Griffith said

“I feel very fortunate to work for a company that’s very involved in the community,” said Buck.

Meghan Urbon also recognized Simplex IT, Quality IP, L’Oreal USA, and Soft-Lite Windows for their service to the chamber.

E-mail: bgaetjens@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-686-3941