Reverend Father Albin J. Gurklis M.I.C.

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...

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.

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)

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.

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. ...

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...

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