The Kutchinski clan

Having ten siblings in today’s world is not often heard of. To have them all still alive and kicking when the oldest is turning 79 is a small miracle.

Eugene Stanley Kutchinski, 79, of Cedar Springs is the oldest of 10 children born to John and Angeline Kutchinski in the little town of Metz, Michigan. He was born August 9, 1931, and his siblings—John, Joseph, Patricia, Bernard, Art, Robert, Nancy, Rosemary, and James—were all born between 1933 and 1951.

Gene joined the Air Force I 1951, and was married that same year to Barbara Jean Luczyk. They had four children, Eugene (who later passed away), Kathryn, Thomas, and Denise.

“Some of his best memories are of going to high school in town and working the farm at age 12 to help support the family,” said Denise.

She said his best memory in recent times is his first hole in one that he shot on March 1, 2010 at a golf course in Tampa, Florida. “Not bad for a 78-year-old to have a 133-yard shot go in with one swing of the club, especially in front of his brothers,” said Denise.

Despite the years, the family remains close. Family reunions in Mount Pleasant are a tradition every Labor Day weekend for the family. Eight of the siblings have stayed in the state of Michigan, with another in Indiana, and another in Florida.

Gene moved to Cedar Springs in 1985, where he manages the Cedar Springs America Legion. While he retired from Midwest Bumper, Denise said he’s not really retired, since he spends so much time at the Legion. “He still works about 60 hours a week there,” she said.

Thanks, Gene, for all you do, for the Legion. And Denise asks everyone to wish him a happy 79th birthday on August 9!