$100K Raised For Fairfield Family After Teen's Death

FAIRFIELD, CT — Community members have donated more than $100,000 over the last three days to support a Fairfield family after the death of their 17-year-old son.

Kevin James Kuczo died Thursday, according to his obituary.

“Kevin was battling depression and is finally at peace,” the obituary said. “He will be forever loved and forever remembered.”

A junior at Fairfield Warde High School, Kuczo was a member of the lacrosse and football teams. He enjoyed volunteering, according to his obituary.

“Kevin had a beautiful smile that touched people and a big heart,” the obituary said. “When asked what he wanted to do in his life, he would reply that he wanted to do something that helped people.”

Kuczo was also an avid skier. He loved camping at the family’s lake house in Canada and the family dogs, Obi and Chewy.

The Fairfield Youth Lacrosse Association, which Kuczo was involved with for eight seasons, has organized a GoFundMe campaign for the Kuczo family.

“This unspeakable tragedy is difficult to understand and there is no good answer for why we lose such precious people in our lives,” the GoFundMe page said. “We are hoping that your donations can comfort the Kuczo family and help them with the expenses associated with saying goodbye to Kevin.”

As of Monday afternoon, the campaign had raised more than $100,000.

The Kuczo family requested donations in his memory be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness at namifairfield.org or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at afsp.org/chapter/connecticut.

Kuczo leaves his parents, James and Kristen O’Rourke Kuczo; his brother, William John Kuczo; his maternal grandparents, Robert and Ann O’Rourke, of Pawleys Island, South Carolina; his paternal grandparents, John and Leonora Kuczo, of Norwalk; his aunts and uncles, Todd and Megan Agee, Jennifer O’Rourke, Rob and Alison Laney, John and Diane Kuczo, and Andrew and MariBeth Kuczo; many cousins; and beloved dog Chewy.

Calling hours will be 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Lesko & Polke Funeral Home at 1209 Post Road. Face masks and social distancing will be required.

For more information, visit leskopolkefuneralhome.com/tribute/details/736/Kevin-Kuczo/obituary.html.