HAVERHILL: John F. Kuliesh, aged 83, of Haverhill, MA and Venice, FL, passed away peacefully after a three year battle with cancer, with his family by his side. A lifelong resident of Haverhill, he was the son of the late John Kuliesh and Mary T. (Kulesza) Kuliesh.

John was a graduate of Boston College, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in business administration. Subsequently, he served in the U.S. Army. After an early career as a buyer, John was employed as a job counselor by the Massachusetts Department of Employment and Training, where he served for many years until his retirement.

John was a member of the Lithuanian Gedymino Club in Haverhill and was a devout Catholic. In his free time, his passions were saltwater fishing and playing the stock market. He also loved nature, gardening, dancing and karaoke.

John was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Caroline (Kuliesh) Lupi. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Judge; his daughters, Julia Kuliesh; Janet Kuliesh Fusco and her partner, Tim Burnaman; Mary Kay Kuliesh and her fiancé, Joseph Jacksone; grandchildren, Andrew and Grace Fusco; aunt Stephanie Kulesza and cousins Anthony Kulesza, Stephen Kulesza, Adam Kulesza, Cecilia Doulames, Butch Thomas, Michael Thomas, Carol Marks, Walter Jezak, Roy Jezak, Ginger Maille and Stephen Kowalewski. Treasured friends include Shirley Makepeace, Brenda Gary and Chris Fowler.

A wake will be held on Thursday, August 19 ^th , from 6-8p.m. at Dole, Childs & Shaw Funeral Home, 148 Main St., Haverhill. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, August 20 ^th at 10a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, 110 Lincoln Ave., Haverhill, with interment to follow at the Lithuanian Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, www.mote.org/support/become-a-donor in support of their commitment to ocean conservation and research, something that was important to John. Online condolences may be sent to www.dcsfuneralhome.com