Alice Kulhawik

Alice Kulhawik, 92, of Bridgeport, CT passed away peacefully at Linden Ponds, Hingham, MA on Tuesday, September 22, 2020. Born Licia Roperti in Denver, Co. she was the only daughter of Raffaele Roperti and Frances Roperti Villella. Alice grew up in Bridgeport, CT, attended Harding High School and The University of Bridgeport to earn an Associates Degree. She went on to a successful, decades-long career at Sikorsky Aircraft first as an Executive Secretary and eventually as their Corporate Events Planner. 

Alice’s daughter Joyce Kulhawik, longtime Arts & Entertainment Anchor for WBZ-TV BOSTON, writes, “My mother more than anyone had the most profound effect on my life. She was a full-time working mom, as was her mother, both women of and ahead of their times. My mother also did the cooking and shopping and cleaning. She and my dad worked HARD. They were devoted to family. My mom especially introduced us to fine food, fashion, the arts– ballet, music, movies, theater. She made our home beautiful. She adored all animals. She loved anyone and anything Italian. She was dramatic, loved celebrations, parades, spectacle, had big enthusiasms, was opinionated and outspoken. She’d challenge anyone– doctors, teachers, Town hall — which is where she finally took our trash one day when they had stopped picking up our garbage. She was the one who told me to quit a job I didn’t like and go out and find another one. I did. She had more confidence in me than I had in myself– and that gave me confidence. She and my dad raised me and my brother Richard to the same standard and that was revolutionary.  Many in the arts community may remember that she often accompanied me on special assignments. She always went to JULY 4th on the Esplanade. She was there when I emceed the annual Elliot Norton Awards and as I peeked out from backstage before the show, I cracked up when I spotted her in the audience hugging Al Pacino– our special guest that evening! I remember the year I snuck her onto the red carpet at the OSCARS– I gave her a clipboard and told her to blend in with the international press corps of still photographers–who instantly befriended her. When security came by checking ID’s, one photographer named Fabrizio from Italy immediately said, “She’s with us.”  I still can’t believe we pulled that off.

Our mother had one special request: she wanted THE BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC sung at her funeral. We are not sure when we will be able to gather for a service, but when we do, we will sing the strains of that rousing tune, lyrics composed by writer Julia Ward Howe, abolitionist and champion of women’s rights. As we honor our mother who always stood strong, I am encouraged and propelled by her love, her example, and relentless energy to move forward.”

Alice was the beloved wife of the late Chester E. Kulhawik and is survived by her daughter Joyce, her son Richard, and their immediate families: Andrew Cohen of Wayland, Janet Guerra of Dedham, Susan Engelman of Fla, Matthew and Rachel Kulhawik, and Annelise Cohen, as well as a beloved extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Donations may be made in Alice’s memory to a charity of choice.