PORT JERVIS – The new downtown park in Port Jervis was dedicated on Saturday as the Josef Kucher Memorial Promenade.
Kucher was a beloved member of the city community, who was murdered while in his shoe repair shop on November 8, 2014. He was 77.
Kucher family admire marker
Rock water display is highlight of promenade
Dozens of local residents attended the park dedication as a granite marker was unveiled by Kucher’s family.
His widow, Hannelore Kucher, said called it a “bittersweet” day to see the outpouring of community support.
“I was just speechless for what the community did for my husband and he loved the community,” she said, holding back tears.
Kucher came to the United States from his native Austria in 1959 when he was 22 years old.
Mayor Kelly Decker noted naming of the promenade had full community support. The building in which Kucher operated his shop at 43 Front Street was also named the Josef Kucher Building.
At the same ceremony, the city planted at tree at the promenade in honor of Arbor Day. Port Jervis is a Tree City USA community.
