Richard F. "Buddy" Krakowski

Friends will be received at the funeral home on Tuesday, March 21st from 4 to 7pm.

A graveside inurnment with military honors will be on Wednesday, March 22 at 1:00pm in Mt Calvary Cemetery, Kingston, New York.

RICHARD F. "BUDDY" KRAKOWSKI

Richard F. "Buddy" Krakowski age 69, from Hurley, New York passed away after a long illness on March 19, 2023. Born in Kingston on March 1, 1954, raised in his younger years by his beloved Granny, Elsie Marsch Henry.

A graduate of Kingston High School Buddy enlisted in the United States Navy in 1972. He had a 30 year career with IBM; after his retirement he pivoted to law enforcement. This decision was made because he believed that in that role, he would be in a position to help the many that he felt were underserved or misunderstood. Indeed, for many years after his retirement and to this day many individuals have approached him to let him know that he completely reversed the path that their lives had been on. He served both at the Town of Ulster Police Department and the Ulster County Sheriff's Department until retirement. When asked to describe Buddy, to the last man the police Officers polled use the word 'sincere'.

Surviving is his daughter, Stephanie (Frank) DePalma, two sons, Jason (RoseMarie) Krakowski, Matthew (Jessi) Krakowski. Sisters, Darlene Krakowski Levit and Alan Levit, Rosie Krakowski Interrante and Ciro Interrante, brother Randy (Debbie) Delanoy. Long time companion, Christine Keck and her son Patrick. Grandchildren, Angelina, Vincent, Lucas, Parker, Harper and Harlow. Buddy was deeply loved and adored by his many nieces and nephews: Nichole, Damian, Luke, Noah, Marissa and Aaron.

If you wanted to see Buddy break into a huge grin, talk to him about his grandchildren. They were a source of enormous joy and he played the role of Granddad with deep love and affection. Nothing brought brighter sunshine to his day than a visit from them.

Those that knew him would agree that Buddy was larger than life. It gave him great joy to be able to help others, whether that was to find a new apartment, buy a car, give a loan or a ride to the airport, or a kind word, he could always be counted on. He was a raconteur, always the one with the best version of any story in order to provide levity. Those who were lucky enough to cross his path were always referred to as "brother" or "honey", in the most sincere and respectful way. Those same people would attest to the fact that he was the type of man who would 'give you the shirt off his back', or his last dollar if he thought it would make a difference.

He will be missed and his passing has left a hole in our lives, the world has lost a compassionate and good man who loved BIG.

Expressions of sympathy in lieu of flowers maybe made in the form of donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Ulster County, P.O. Box 2271, Kingston, NY 12402.