THOMPSON - Joseph J. Gurka, 91, of the Quinebaug section of Thompson, died Wednesday, January 21, in Harrington Memorial Hospital, Southbridge. His wife of 52 years, Veronica M. (Czupryna) Gurka, died in 1999.
He leaves 5 nieces, Judith A. Perron and Maryellen Perron, both of Warren, Sally MacArthur and Patricia Heller, both of New Jersey, and Julie A. Kubaski of New York; and a nephew, Ted Szczebak of Ware.
He was born and raised in Ware, son of Walenty and Valeria (Rogus) Gurka, and lived here 55 years. He graduated from Ware High School in 1931, where he was a track and field star.
He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving as a captain.
Mr. Gurka was a supervisor for many years at the American Optical Co. in Southbridge, retiring in 1974.
He was a member of Saint Stephen’s Church. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, hunting, and camping.
The funeral will be held Saturday, January 24, from the Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School Street, Webster, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in Saint Stephen’s Church, corner of Routes 131 and 197. Burial will be in Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery, Three Rivers. Calling hours are from 7:00 to 9:00 PM Friday, Jan. 23, in the funeral home.