Richard Kunta

Mr. Richard "Rick" Kunta, Sr. passed away, in his home, on Thursday, May 10, 2018,in Gilbert, South Carolina, at the age of 75.

Mr. Kunta is survived by his wife, Helene Dorothy Kunta, of Gilbert, South Carolina; son, Richard Kunta, Jr., of Malta, New York; daughter, Shantel Adelaide Kunta Schmitt, of Gilbert, South Carolina; niece, Jo-ann Kappauf, of Gilbert, South Carolina; grandchildren, Ricky Rudolph Kunta, of Summerville, South Carolina, Tori Helene Kunta, of Central Islip, New York, Kristina Marie Kunta Taylor, of Lexington, South Carolina, and Kimberly Ann Kunta, of Astoria, New York; great grandchildren, Samantha Meadow Kunta, of Summerville, South Carolina, Ellie Ann Kunta, of Summerville, South Carolina, Wyatt Reed Taylor, of Lexington, South Carolina, and Peyton Joyce Kunta, of Central Islip, New York.  He is preceded in death by his father, Rudolph Kunta, of Amityville, New York; his mother, Ana Kunta, of Amityville, New York; his nephew, Steven Sokol, of Lindenhurst, New York; and his granddaughter, Aurora Helene Schmitt, of Gilbert, South Carolina.

Mr. Kunta was born on September 8, 1942, in Amityville, New York.  He was a member of the 101st Airborne Division, an elite modular specialized light infantry division of the United States Army.  After moving to South Carolina, Rick and his wife, Helene, opened a cake and candy business, Chocolate Wonderland, in Lexington.  Mr. Kunta was an accomplished cake and candy maker, who offered free and friendly candy making and cake baking or decorating advice to all of his patrons.  He enjoyed printing personalized napkins for his customers.  Rick was a good-humored man, enjoyed telling jokes, and was extremely dedicated to his business that has maintained an impeccable reputation, now, for the past 32 years.  In March, Mr. Kunta and Helene celebrated their 43 ^rd wedding anniversary.

Visitation for Mr. Kunta is scheduled at Moseley Funeral Home, 914 Meeting Street, West Columbia, South Carolina 29169 , on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 , and Thursday, May 17, 2018, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. A funeral is scheduled for Friday, May 18 , 2018, at 10:00 a.m. , at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, located at 195 Amicks Ferry Road, Chapin, South Carolina 29036 .  Reverend Dennis B. Willey will officiate the ceremony.  Condolences can be posted on Chocolate Wonderland’s facebook page, at https:/ www.facebook.com/Chocolate-Wonderland-225583570925512/ , or sent to their email address, chocolatewonderlandsc@yahoo.com .  The family would like to thank you for participating in the celebration of Mr. Kunta’s life.