Michael J. Kondrla

Michael J. Kondrla, 72, of Haddon Township, New Jersey, passed away on December 26, 2021.
Born on March 26, 1949 to the late Michael and Mildred Kondrla (Latkovich) in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, Michael grew up in Oaklyn, New Jersey and attended St. Aloysius School in Oaklyn.  Michael attended Camden Catholic High School in Cherry Hill and was an All-South Jersey end on the 1966 undefeated football team.  Michael was inducted into the Camden Catholic Hall of Fame in 2011.  After graduating from Camden Catholic, Michael attended the University of Notre Dame on a full athletic scholarship and played linebacker for the legendary coach, Ara Parseghian. Michael graduated from Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1971.

Michael's professional career path took him from the automotive to the poultry industry, but Michael found his work as an aide to special needs students at Kingsway Learning Center to be the most fulfilling.  Known to many as "Mr. Mike," Michael loved his students and colleagues and excelled at making educational videos for his students during recent remote schooling.  Michael's love for the special needs community continued beyond the Kingsway doors, as he served as a regular companion to and champion of disabled adults and children.  Although Michael rarely asked for or accepted help, he was always the first to offer a helping hand to anyone in need.  His service to others knew no bounds, and he never tired of supporting family, friends and neighbors in good times and bad.

Michael was a motorsports enthusiast who drove on some of the region's famed tracks and attended some of the sport's grandest events.  Michael had an unmatched sense of direction and enjoyed gathering and leading family and friends on road trips to new and familiar places, namely Notre Dame football games.  A weekend with Michael in South Bend is a memory that many will cherish forever.  At home, Michael loved his many small dogs, who he affectionately referred to as his "trained killers," and never turned down desert after a meal.  For many, Michael called them by their nickname, and for all, Michael's love, humor and compassion was only a call away.
Michael is survived and will be greatly missed by his wife Karen Kondrla (Borton), children Lindsey Kondrla, Michael Kondrla, Michael Coskey (and wife Kelly), Billy Coskey (and fiance Jeannine), Kevin Lutz (and wife Sarah) and Maria Drader (and husband Nick), grandchildren Jake, Ella, Mabel and Lillie, sister Maribeth Olt, brothers Mark Kondrla (and wife Mildred), Matt Kondrla (and wife Rose) and Marty Kondrla (and wife Barbara) and many nephews and nieces.

Family and friends are invited to gather on Tuesday, January 4 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, St. Aloysius Church, 37 W. Haddon Avenue, Oaklyn, where a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 am.  A graveside tribute at Calvary Cemetery & Mausoleum, 2398 W. Marlton Pike, Cherry Hill will follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Michael J. Kondrla may be made to the Animal Welfare Association of South Jersey www.awanj.org 509 Centennial Blvd. Voorhees, NJ 08043

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