Kevin H. McGurk, age 69, of West Springfield, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, June 23, 2019. He was born in Springfield, a son of the late George and Marion (Howard) McGurk and graduated from Cathedral High School and the University of Bridgeport. Kevin worked for the Springfield Newspapers for more than forty years as a reporter, columnist and copy editor, retiring in 2009. An avid sports fan, he officiated at many basketball and football games in the area, working high school and college games, as well as umpiring for high school, college, and minor league baseball, including several seasons of the Cape Cod League. Kevin was the statistician for the UMass Basketball Program in Amherst for more than twenty years, and covered the Boston major league sports teams during his days as a reporter for the Springfield Republican and Daily News. He also worked for the Diocese of Springfield at the Chalice of Salvation weekly televised Mass. He is survived by his wife of forty-eight years, Susan A. (Landry) McGurk; his children: Andrew McGurk and wife Caitlin of Manchester CT, and Brenda McGurk of West Springfield; one sister, Mary Catherine McGurk Scalercio of Sewickley PA, and several nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held Saturday, June 29th at 10:00 a.m. at the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, Holyoke. Burial will follow at Saint Thomas Cemetery, West Springfield. Calling hours will be Friday, June 28th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to The Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown MD 21741-5014. Online donations can be accepted at Kevin’s Tribute page, https://tribute.michaeljfox.org/tribute-page.php?id=1224&np=true

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Published by The Republican from Jun. 26 to Jun. 27, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Kevin McGurk

Sponsored by The Family.

17 Entries

Margie & Jerry Quenneville

September 13, 2019

Dear Susan & family,

Our deepest condolences at the passing of Kevin / your dad. We (Jerry in particular from a very young age) have very fond memories from many family gatherings of Kevin's warm personality, wonderful sense of humor and caring nature. His whole life involved giving to others through his love of sports and genuine desire to contribute. You are in our prayers during this difficult time. May he rest in peace.
Love,

Margie & Jerry

July 3, 2019

Sue and family,
So sorry to hear of Kevin's passing. Although I have not seen him in many years, Kevin married Tom and I on June 30, 1989 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. My husband Tom Kennedy passed away in April. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Pam Kennedy
Port Orange, FL

July 3, 2019

Sue and family,
So sorry to hear of Kevin's passing. Although I have not seen him in many years, Kevin married us on June 30, 1989 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. My husband, Tom Kennedy, passed away in April of this year. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

July 3, 2019

We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.

Monique Dumais

June 29, 2019

My sincere condolences for your loss, Susan and family. Kevin was a good neighbor and he will be deeply missed. I am praying for you all.

June 28, 2019

Dear Sue and family,
Praying God's peace be upon you today and the days to come.
So sorry to hear of your loss.

Joyce Webb, Williamsburg, VA
(from West Springfield church of Christ days✝)

June 27, 2019

My condolence to Kevin's family and his sister and her family. I have fond memories of Kevin from our youth growing up next door Kevin while attending grammar school and high school together.

We spent many afternoons arguing sports, playing catch or throwing a football. We even broke a few windows in his dads garage door with our errant throws. I will remember him from those days of our youth.

Ron Robert Magnolia De

Karl Oliveira

June 27, 2019

Sue, Andrew and Brenda I always looked forward to the start of the TCL season at the end of May. The problem was, with Kevin and I, there truly wasn't a start or finish to the season. The TCL to us, lasted year-round.
The conversations I had with Kevin in the off-season, mostly centered around baseball and how we could improve the league, however we always spoke about the importance of family.
I met Kevin about 40 years ago as he was an umpire in the league (one of the better one's I may add). About 25 years ago, when he took over as President, he asked me to be the Secretary of the league, and be his right-hand man. We have worked very well over this time-period as we both complimented each other (Kevin was the quiet one and me, well not so much).
Over the past few years, it was heartbreaking to see his disease start impacting him, physically. He never complained and always focused on the next task that needed to be completed.
Thank you for all these years on sharing this wonderful guy. I will miss him dearly.
Kevin, we now have the ball and will tee this league up for the next twenty-five years. Rest easy.

Karl Oliveira, TCL Secretary

June 27, 2019

On behalf of the Tri-County Baseball League, we offer our deepest sympathies on the loss of our President. Kevin has been part of this elite league for the last 47 years 21 years as an umpire/umpire-in-chief and the last 26 years as the President. Through his leadership, this league has thrived and expanded from eight to fifteen teams, over the past three years.
Kevin always set the underlying tone for this league It's a gentleman's league. That meant WE were all in this league to continue to play the game we all love baseball. It was through everyone's partnership the sponsors, the coaches, the Board of Governors and the umpire assigners, to play competitive baseball for eight weeks in the summer.
Kevin, thank you for your time, commitment and friendship. You will be so missed.

Alice & Fran Kennedy

June 27, 2019

Kevin - always had a great smile, a good laugh and especially a good word for everyone.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, Sue, Brenda, Andrew, Caitlin and Mary.

June 27, 2019

I've known Kevin since we were in the press box together at the Big E. His smile prompted smiles in return. When you think of him, think of that smile and you'll remember him well.
Chip A.

June 27, 2019

Kevin was a true friend of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and a great grass roots sports reporter , He had a way of expressing and writing a sports story that left an impact .
Jim Vinick , Treasurer
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Rick Smith

June 27, 2019

Kevin was an upstanding man. We worked together at the newspaper for years. I'm sorry to hear about his loss.

June 27, 2019

Please accept my sincerest condolences. You are not alone during this time of sorrow and pain. May God give your family strength and comfort to help you endure this loss. As you remember your beloved one and find comfort in the memories that you shared 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Sincerely, JH

Bill Grady

June 27, 2019

To the McGurk Family,
MY thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sadness. Kevin and I worked many High School and College Football games over the years and I will always remember the great times together. RIP my friend

joseph calcasola

June 27, 2019

A great guy and true gentleman. Condolences to the family.

Old time friend,
Joe Calcasola

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