Richard John Kramarik

Richard J. Kramarik, age 76, of Cary, NC, passed away peacefully Sunday, December 18, 2022, surrounded by his wife and children. He was born in Natrona Heights, PA, on July 14, 1946, to Sophie (Masarik) and John J. Kramarik. Though he knew her from as far back as grade school, he started dating the love of his life, Jean A. Wetter, while they both attended St. Joseph High School in Natrona. They married on July 20, 1968, shortly after Rich graduated from St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. He had a long and successful business career working for a variety of companies and in industries ranging from steel, IT, and telecommunications to start-ups and entrepreneurships. In 1997, Rich and Jean relocated to Cary, NC, which quickly became home. During his time in NC, he became a successful business consultant to hundreds of entrepreneurs and mentored many students of entrepreneurship at the University of North Carolina and Duke University. He was generous with his time and applied his innovative expertise to help entrepreneurs develop better ideas and approaches to their businesses. For the last eighteen years, along with his partner, he established a successful angel investor organization that financed dozens of startup companies in North Carolina. While living in PA, Rich volunteered his time as a firefighter and EMT both with New Kensington Co. 5 and Citizen Hose Co. in Natrona Heights. He also volunteered with the Interfaith Food Shuttle in Raleigh, NC. Rich was an active member of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Cary, NC. He was passionate about the Pittsburgh Steelers, Notre Dame football, stock trading, and traveling. We will deeply miss his “MacGyver”-like ability to build, fix, or solve any problem. He is preceded in death by his parents. Rich is survived by Jean, his wife of 54 years, and his children, Janine (Michael) McGann of New Hill, NC, and CAPT R. Scott (Janell) Kramarik, USN, of Williamsburg, VA. He is also survived by his six grandchildren: Luke (Katie) McGann, Seth (Rachel) McGann, Ben (Lexie) McGann, Bailey Kramarik, Connor Kramarik, and McKenna Kramarik. In addition, Rich’s surviving siblings include Marsha (Joe) Filia, Paulette (Barry) Wilson and John K. (Paula) Kramarik as well as many nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Cary, NC, on January 14, 2023, at 11:00 am. The Mass will also be live-streamed at www.stmichaelcary.org/live-mass. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rich’s honor to the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, Inc. at bcan.org.

Richard John Kramarik

July 14, 1946 - December 18, 2022