Many in the Saucon Valley community are in mourning following the death of a 2015 Saucon Valley High School graduate who passed away unexpectedly Sunday.
Jeremy Kuba, 22, of Lower Saucon Township, had just returned from a mission trip to Jamaica on Saturday, and was a graduate student studying occupational therapy at Misericordia University in Dallas, Luzerne County, according to his obituary posted online by Heintzelman Funeral Home and other posts published in remembrance of his life and accomplishments.
Kuba had battled heart disease throughout his life, according to his obituary, but overcame his health challenges in order to be a standout athlete at Saucon Valley and in college, where he set a school record for the weight throw in track and field.
At Saucon Valley he participated in multiple varsity sports and performed with the high school marching band as its drum major, in addition to devoting time toward fundraising for the American Heart Association as part of the annual RedOut event at Saucon.
“At Misericordia, Jeremy excelled as a member of their track & field team before graduating just a few weeks ago,” a post on the Saucon Valley Athletics Facebook page stated. “He made our school a better place and brought an energy that we will never forget. He will greatly be missed.”
Teacher Lisa Allen remembered her former pupil in a comment as “a former student who was a beloved classmate to others…who always had a smile on his face through any situation.”
In addition to his parents, Kuba is survived by his girlfriend, an older sister and older brother, a nephew, a niece, grandparents, and other family members, the obituary says.
Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours for Kuba from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 31, 2019 at the Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc., 326 Main Street, Hellertown, and from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday. The Saturday calling hour will be followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at the Church of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, 1408 Easton Road, Hellertown, where Kuba was an active and devoted member, his obituary stated.
Online memorial tributes may be recorded at HeintzelmanCares.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Jeremy Kuba Occupational Therapy Scholarship fund at the Occupational Therapy Department, Misericordia University, 301 Lake St., Dallas, PA 18612.
Saucon Source extends our condolences to Jeremy’s family and friends.