LI construction icon Jack Kulka dies at 79

Jack Kulka, the outspoken Long Island construction industry leader and founding member of the Hauppauge Industrial Association, has died at the age of 79. 

The only child of immigrant parents, Kulka grew up in the Bronx and received full scholarships to attend Bronx High School of Science and New York University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering and subsequently became a professional engineer. 

At age 34, Kulka founded Kulka Construction Corp., now known as The Kulka Group, and pioneered construction management on Long Island. He was the only non-lawyer involved with creating the Construction Management Association of America contractual documents and quickly became recognized for giving clients quality building at a lower cost.  

In his 39 years of leading the company, Kulka was responsible for the construction of more than 22 million square feet of commercial projects across the New York metropolitan area and south Florida. 

“Not only were we interested in building the most economical projects for our clients, but we wanted to make sure it was of the highest quality and met very stringent scheduling requirements,” Kulka said in a 2018 interview. “Our clients not only got the best job for the money, but they got the best possible job that could be done that adhered to code. Contractors working for us had to adhere to the strictest construction and quality standards. Clients got a superior project at an exceptional price.” 

When his health began failing, Kulka handed over the reins of the company to his son Devin in 2017. 

“My father was a visionary businessman and a strong advocate for Long Island and the working people who make it what it is. He helped shape the Long Island landscape forever,” Devin Kulka, CEO of The Kulka Group, said in a written statement. “His legacy is his large, blended family, the business he created and the friendships he made throughout his life. We thank everyone for their well wishes at this challenging time for our family.” 

Jack Kulka was a member of the New York’s State Society of Professional Engineers and served on numerous organizational governing and advisory boards including the Touro Law Center, the Metropolitan New York Chapter of the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs, the Bi-County Political Action Committee, the Long Island Holocaust Committee and the Hauppauge Industrial Association.  

Kulka also held leadership positions with several organizations, including the Commack Jewish Center, the Long Island Israeli Bond Campaign, United Way of Long Island, Suffolk County Crimestoppers, American Cancer Society, St. Johns Episcopal Hospital and Hauppauge Educational Foundation. Kulka was also a past president and founder of the Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center, and the Farmingdale College Foundation. 

Terri Alessi-Miceli, president and CEO of HIA-LI, of which Kulka was a founding member, called him a driving force. 

“He had a passion and vision for building in the Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge and helped the organization lead a group of business professionals to get them what they needed when they needed it to help their businesses thrive,” Alessi-Miceli said. “He was relentless about everything he did and showed us what real tenacity looked like. I was fortunate enough to have worked alongside him and he showed me that if you bring the right people together for the right reasons anything can get accomplished. I felt privileged to work and learn from him.  We are forever grateful.” 

Services in Kulka’s honor will be held at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 2 at the Star of David Memorial Chapel and a burial service will follow directly after.   

The family will be sitting shiva at 16 Wyandanch Blvd. in Smithtown, and they’ve requested that shiva visits be limited to Sunday after the service; 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 3; and 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Oct. 4. 

Donations in Kulka’s honor are much appreciated and requested to be made to one or more of the following organizations: Chabad of Mid Suffolk, Suffolk Y JCC, Hauppauge Industrial Association Scholarship Fund, Suffolk County Crimestoppers, Family & Children’s Association of Long Island and Long Island Home Builders Care.