Albin J. Gurklis

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Marianapolis Preparatory School

Albin Gurklis Obituary

Reverend Father Albin J. Gurklis M.I.C. - 90, of Chase Rd, died Friday October 31, 2008 in Matulaitis Nursing Home. Born in Waterbury, CT, he was the son of the late Dominick and Barbara (Breidies) Gurklis.

Fr. Gurklis graduated from Marianapolis College in Thompson, CT. After completing novitiate, Father Gurklis entered the order of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception. He professed his first vow on July 16, 1940. Then after his third year of theology, he professed his final vows on July 16, 1943. On August 8, 1943, he was ordained a priest at Marianapolis College. Following his ordination, Father Gurklis completed his fourth year of theology. Father Gurklis was assigned to Marianapolis Preparatory School to teach. He dedicated the next 58 years of his life to teaching mathematics. From September 1950 to January 2008, Father Gurklis taught algebra, geometry, pre-calculus, and calculus, and chaired the Math Department. During his life as a Marian, Father Gurklis was a Provincial Councilor, a House Councilor, Assistant Headmaster, a resident prefect, and house secretary.

On weekends, Father Gurklis was dedicated to ministering to the Lithuanian-American Communities in Connecticut. For a quarter of a century, he celebrated and proclaimed Lithuanian masses, in New Britain, Ct and in Holy Trinity Parish in Hartford, Ct. He also assisted the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception in Putnam, Ct.

He is survived by a brother, John Gurklis of Columbus, OH.

Visiting Hours will be held at Marianapolis Preparatory School Chapel, 26 Chase Rd, Thompson, CT, on Monday, November 3, 2008 from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. and from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in the school chapel on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. A Memorial Mass will be held Wednesday November 5, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. in the National Shrine of the Devine Mercy, 2 Prospect Hill Rd., Stockbridge, MA. Burial will follow in Marian Cemetery in Stockbridge, MA. Memorial Donations may be made in Fr. Gurklis' Memory to the Marian Seminary Fund, c/o Marianopolis Preparatory School, 26 Chase Rd. Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home is entrusted with his arrangements.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Worcester Telegram & Gazette on Nov. 2, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Albin Gurklis

8 Entries

Walter Desruisseaux

January 7, 2009

I am so sorry for this late notice concerning Father Al's passing. I recently found out about his death. I work at the State of Connecticut Welcome Center on I-84 westbound located in West Willington, CT. I got to know Father Al for about the past ten years. He would stop by on his way to Hartford where he'd serve Mass at the Lituanian church every weekend. He always asked about how I was doing and also about my family. He would always ask me if I started to write my book about people you meet at a rest area. He consistently would encourage me to write it. After hearing of his death I keep picturing him approaching me and inspiring me to write it. I will miss him and his conversations very much. I will write that book with him on my mind. May the Good LORD grant him eternal rest.

Walter W. Desruisseaux
Travel Counselor & Friend
State of CT Welcome Center
West Willington, CT.

Claire A. Sygiel

November 17, 2008

I am so happy that I was able to see Fr. Gurklis at his retirement celebration
because I hadn't seen him since one of his math students, my son Carl Sygiel,
graduated from Marianapolis. It was so nice to reminisce with Fr. Gurklis about all the discussions we had back then about the field of mathematics as I was a math teacher too.

Dalia Dzikas

November 5, 2008

Father Gurklis will be greatly missed by the parishioners of Holy Trinity in Hartford. For 33 years, no matter what the weather, he drove to Hartford to hold mass and hear confessions in Lithuanian. Thus we were able to maintain the connection to our heritage. He was a modest person, his homily's were well versed, he was loved by all of us. After mass he would stand in the vestibule, greet each one. He will always be there in spirit, saying "turekite gera savaite" (have a good week)

Kelly Leveille (Meier)

November 4, 2008

As a student at Marianapolis, I can say that Father Gurk was a math legend. I learned many great lessons from him. He also had the knack of adding humor to his class. I especially remember his quote..."One man's meat is another man's POISON!!" Or when he said that you can't compare apples to oranges or you will get a fruit salad!! He was a great teacher and friend and will be missed by all.

Fr. Bill Hayward M.I.C.

November 2, 2008

I have known Fr. Gurklis from the time I entered the Marians in 1982. For seven years I had the privilege to teach with him at Marianapolis Prep, from 1989 - 1996. Fr. Gurklis was a quiet man, but much appreciated in our Marian community. He had a knack for tinkering with things - especially lawn mowers. A teacher beyond the class room, he would work along side me fixing a broken gear or pull rope or misbalanced blade, but he would never take it over. You had to learn with Fr. Gurklis. His confrers at Marianapolis for decades were Fr. John Petrauskas and Fr. Albin Sheputa. They made a combination that brought stability and persistance to Marianapolis School. I am proud to know Fr. Gurklis and to have shared with him a love for teaching, the Marian community and the priesthood.

Valentine Iamartino

November 2, 2008

I have had the pleasure of knowing Father Gurklis for nearly 30 years. He was a wonderful man and a fine educator. (I always say I learned Math from Father Gurklis and that he taught my son Christian too!!)
Though quiet and unassuming, I don't know if he ever realized just how many lives he touched as a teacher/mentor or priest over the years. There isn't a time when a conversation about Marianpaolis doesn't include a word about Father Gurklis, his teaching or the clever sayings he often threw out at us during class !! The words spoken were often funny...yet lovingly conveyed.
I can even recall a conversation with him at his retirement party in the Spring where he marvels at the fact that so many people wanted to come to MPS to celebrate his retirement with him. He truly was overwhelmed by those in attendance and even said he felt awkward about the fanfare. However, those of us at the event knew that six decades of teaching us as well as some of our children deserved nothing but the best of celebrations!!
Many of us felt he not only taught us math....he taught us how to think....how to reason....and most importantly how to believe in ourselves!

I can't help but think of him today and reflect on his kind spirit and humble manner.
I consider knowing him as both an honor and a privledge.

May God bless him and may his soul rest in eternal peace.

He will be greatly missed.

With Sympathy,

Valentine Houle Iamartino
Class of 1980
Christian Iamartino
Class of 2009
Marissa Iamartino
Class of 2012
Thompson, Connecticut

Marie St. Amour

November 2, 2008

I have fond memories of Fr. Gurklis. I had the pleasure of knowing Fr. Gurklis during the many years five of my children attended Marianapolis Prep. I even attended a computer class he offered adults. He will be remembered for his generous spirit to all those that knew him. Many students can thank him for his contribution to there knowledge of math.
Marie & Bill St. Amour
Winter Springs, Fl

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