Alexander Kuznezov

February 16, 1949 — September 19, 2021

Alexander Kuznezov, age 72, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 19, 2021 in his home in Walpole, Massachusetts, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Klagenfurt, Austria on February 16, 1949, he was the son of the late Gregory and Anna (Kushnik) Kuznezov. At the age of three, Alex's family immigrated to the United States of America, making their home in the South End of Boston, Massachusetts in 1952. Ten years later, they settled into their home in Roslindale, where Alex attended Roslindale High School. While in high school, Alex was a standout athlete on both the basketball court and baseball diamond before his graduation in 1968. Following his graduation, Alex attended the Massachusetts Bay Community College before transferring to Boston State College, earning his bachelor's degree in 1973.

Alex married his beloved wife, Patricia D. Baker, on June 28, 1975 in Saint Mary's Church in Charlestown. The young couple made their home together in the first-floor apartment of Alex's family home in Roslindale, and Alex took a position with Our Lady of Lourdes School in Jamaica Plain, teaching eighth grade. Alex had a unique way of gaining his student's attention, building a model city in his classroom with a train circling throughout, carrying messages about upcoming events and quizzes. In addition to his teaching, as a lifelong musician, Alex played guitar alongside his brother-in-law, Jim Baker, in their wedding band, Final Touch.

Alex began his career with Arlington Catholic High School in 1981, teaching a subject he truly loved, history. His love for history centered around American History, specifically the Kennedy assassination. A year later, he moved his family to Walpole, Massachusetts, and took his musical talents to Saint Agnes Church in Arlington, where he served as the choir director and music minister for twelve years. He went on to serve as the choir director and music minister at Saint Mary's Church in Wrentham from 1994 to 1999, before assuming the same position at Saint James Church in Stoughton. While at Saint James, Alex wrote and directed a play, “Come Follow Me”, that was performed for his congregation. A couple of years later, he served Saint Francis Church in Braintree as the choir director and took a teaching position with Cardinal Spellman High School in Brockton, continuing his lessons in history.

In the early 2000s, Alex was recalled by Saint Mary's Church in Wrentham to return as a music minister and using his creative art skills, he orchestrated the Christmas Village Victorian Fair in the church hall, painting all the backdrops to create the illusion of an indoor city. After more than ten years at Cardinal Spellman, Alex completed his teaching career with one final year at Ursuline Academy in Dedham, retiring in 2015. He continued his musical career, with the Rock Ministry Teen Mass at Saint Mary's in Franklin. He also performed, composed, and published with the liturgical group, With Faith, playing throughout the Archdiocese and at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Attleboro. More recently, he played guitar in a classic rock duo in various restaurants and venues in the area. As a lifelong musician and composer, Alex drew inspiration for much of his music from the White Mountains in New Hampshire, where he frequently vacationed with his family.

While Alex remained very active in his teaching and music roles, he enjoyed watching his beloved New England Patriots, whether to cheer them on or second guess the play on the field. He was also a movie buff, and loved the old reel to reel films, and more recently, he developed a passion for gardening.

Beloved husband of Patricia D. (Baker) Kuznezov. Loving father of Kristen N. Kuznezov O'Brien and her husband, Thomas, of Foxborough, Jeffrey P. Kuznezov and his wife, Tenara, of North Attleborough, Shevon E. Sullivan and her husband, Thomas, of Mansfield, and Jennifer M. Kuznezov of Walpole. Cherished grandfather of Chloe, Ronan, Rory, Cora, Orion, and Dylan. Brother of Ann Clasby and her late husband, Arthur, of Milton, Also survived by his nieces, Regina Lemire and her husband, Shaun, of Monson, and Judy Levasseur of Milton.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Alex's Life Celebration on Thursday, September 23, 2021 from 4 to 8 PM and Friday, September 24, 2021 from 9:30 to 10 AM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Mary's Church, 176 Washington Street, East Walpole on Friday, September 24, 2021 at 10:30 AM. Interment will follow in Saint Francis Cemetery in Walpole. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center at giving.massgeneral.org/donate/cancer-center

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