Al Kukuk was never a force in local and state politics, he was never a policy wonk, but he never pretended to be so.
Instead, he was memorable because he was simply a good and decent man who earnestly worked day-by-day to help his constituency. Basically, he was a politician from a bygone era.
Word has come forward that Al, 79, died over the weekend after serving for years as a Macomb Township clerk and supervisor, a Macomb County commissioner and a state representative.
Al was an old-school product of the eventful days when north Macomb farm communities were undergoing massive changes, with the longtime German farmers selling their land to Italian developers who envisioned (correctly) sprawling subdivisions that would bring a previously incomprehensible level of upscale housing to our blue collar county.
One former colleague recalled how Kukuk, who owned a barely perceptible excavation company, showed up with his construction equipment when ground was broken for the first-ever township senior center. He was a township official but he was there to volunteer his company’s help on the project.
I will always remember the day way back when, as I was toiling as a newbie reporter for The Romeo Observer in the early 1980s, when Al called me, displaying his usual enthusiasm, to tell me that Macomb Township would soon see its first McDonald’s restaurant along the township’s M-59 border.
Every little bit of good news was always a good moment for Al.
And, by the way, Al was a Republican. As if that matters.
Here is the press release issued by the governor’s office today announcing that flags in the capital will be flown at half-staff on Friday in a well-deserved salute to Mr. Kukuk:
Gov. Rick Snyder has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags to be lowered to half-staff Friday, April 28, within the state Capitol complex in honor of former state Rep. Alvin Kukuk, who died Saturday, April 22.
“Rep. Kukuk was a dedicated public servant and will be remembered for his commitment to his community. I send my deepest condolences to his family and friends during this time,” Snyder said.
Kukuk served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1993-1998. Prior to serving in the House, he was a member of the Army National Guard and volunteer firefighter as well as a small business owner. He served on the Macomb County Board of Commissioners and was elected Macomb Township clerk and supervisor.
A service in his honor will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 29 at the Will & Schwartzkoff Funeral Home located at 233 North Gratiot Avenue in Mount Clemens.
This flag order is in accordance with Executive Order 2013-10. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff.
