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Phil Gurka Obituary
Phil Gurka, passed away with grace and dignity at his home in Essex Junction, VT, at the age of 49, on February 14, 2013 (he always hated Valentines Day). After a Gurkulean battle with cancer, Phil left this world surrounded by love. Phil is predeceased by his mother, Anna Maholic; his father, Stanley A. Gurka; several aunts and uncles and Gomez. Phil was born in Plainfield, NJ on December 9, 1963. He graduated from Panther Valley High School in Lansford, PA in 1981 and went on to earn a bachelor of science from Kean University of NJ, in 1991. Phil worked as a corporate IT specialist at Roche Biomedical in Nutley, NJ and Prudential Insurance Company of America in Livingston, NJ. Survivors: Phil is survived by his loving wife, Tina (Aloi) of 19 years and their cat, Addie. Phil and Tina were married at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Webster, NY on August 21, 1993. He is also survived by his brothers, David Kruczek and Bear (Bobby) Krutsick. Phil is lovingly remembered by Jon Grzych, Jean Sheehey, Kyle Ellis, Megan Turner, Chris Wood, Elizabeth and Iza Logan, Renzo White, Joyce Walsleben, Tom Roland, Dave Corrigan, Ron Reed, Andrew Spruil, the Rad Onc Harem and many other dear friends and loved ones. Services: A celebration of his life will be held Sunday, February 17 at 10 a.m. at The Essex, 70 Essex Way, Essex Junction, Vermont. http://www.vtculinaryresort.com Phil and Tina would like to thank all the wonderful caregivers at Fletcher Allen and the Visiting Nurse Association especially Mary Miller as well as Shanna at CVS. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Cancer Patient Support Program at www.cpspvt.org or mailed to: CPSP, PO BOX 64700, Burlington, VT 05406.
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Memories and Condolences
for Phil Gurka
Sponsored by All His Friends.
John Moxley
February 27, 2013
Phil was a great guy. Enjoyed playing a round of golf with him, even if he did beat us. He had such a great sense of humor.He will be missed and our thoughts are with you and your family.
February 22, 2013
Tina - to be missed as much as Phil will be is to have lived well - Phil was a gift to all of us. Janet A.
Monda Lambert-Thomas
February 20, 2013
Tina, although I have not experienced the loss of a spouse, I have experienced the loss of loved ones and I know first-handed that earth has no sorrow that Heaven can not heal. Put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and know that He cares deeply for you and your family. God Bless!
Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.
2 Thessalonians 3:16
Jason Gordian
February 20, 2013
Tina, I am so so sorry for your lost. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family during this time.
Sharon & Ernie DeStefano
February 20, 2013
So sorry for your loss. Phil is a great guy. The time is tough on you today. The loss is very unbearable, but memories, faith and courage, will help you go on, knowing Phil's great spirit is always there.
Marvin Salcedo
February 20, 2013
Hi Tina...God Bless you and your family. We have you and your love ones in our prayers.
Mark Freeman
February 20, 2013
Tina,
I'm very sorry to hear of the loss of your husband. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Juneann Seon
February 20, 2013
Tina,
I am sorry for your loss.Although no words can really help to ease the loss you bear, just know that you are very close in every prayers. Juneann
SALAHELDIN (Mohamed) Ibrahim
February 20, 2013
Tina, I am so sorry for your loss. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless You!
Makesha Clark
February 20, 2013
Tina I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time.
February 20, 2013
Tina my prayers are with you and your family. Mila Wash DC
Sheila Embry
February 20, 2013
The earth is dimmer without Phil's light.
February 20, 2013
All the good times will never be forgotten.
Derek Sylvester
February 19, 2013
Tina, my prayers are with you and Phil. Of the few times I spoke with Phil, I felt a kinship with him. I guess IT guys are that way. It sounds like he had many many friends and family in his life who love him. What more could anyone ask for in this life! He was indeed a rich man in that sense.
Marsha Quinn
February 19, 2013
Phil, you will truly be missed. I am certain that you are sharing joy in heaven as you did on earth.
Chantal Gabrault
February 19, 2013
Tina, so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
February 19, 2013
Tina, You are in my thoughts and prayers for God's continued outpouring of strength and consolation during this time of loss. Bunnie Bryce
Richard Alongi
February 19, 2013
I graduated with Phil in 1981. I always knew him to be a kind, fun, happy-go-lucky person. My condolences to his wife and family.
Rich Alongi
PVHS Class of 1981
Greg Epps
February 18, 2013
The life of Phil Gurka will never be forgotten. God Bless.
Mike Isaac Isaac
February 18, 2013
Tina,
I am so sorry for your loss. Phil was a great gut and so much fun to be around. He will surely be missed.
Mike, Roben, Andrew & Christopher
February 18, 2013
Rest in Peace Phil!!! You are truly one of a kind, and will be greatly missed! My heartfelt condolences to you Tina and your families...Ted DeGroat
Jim Moeltner
February 18, 2013
Tina,
We are keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.Phil was a great guy and any thoughts of Phil always bring a smile to my face.
Linda Bucciarelli
February 18, 2013
Tina I am sorry for your loss.
Linda
sandy ferland
February 18, 2013
Deepest sympathy and prayers to everyone on Phil's passing. We grew up as kids on Bertsch Street in Lansford and graduated from PV a year apart. Time passes and then, you hear the news of a friend taken too soon. May you find comfort in the loving memories...love and prayers. Sandy (Hebda) Ferland
February 17, 2013
We were so saddened to hear of Phil's passing.We were out of town and did not hear until today or we would have been at the celebration of his life. Phil was a lovely person and it was a joy to know him. God bless you and give you strength during this difficult time. Sincerely,Robin and Frank Cater.
Louise Nicoletti
February 16, 2013
Tina,very sorry to hear about Phil.I will say a prayer for him, also for you. John and Louise Nicoletti.
February 16, 2013
Tina, I'm so sorry to hear of Phil's passing. I will always remember the Hot dog hand offs from the house of Weenies in Newark and the Boston road trip. Phil was a great guy, a lot of fun to be around. I'll think of him every Christmas when I hang the "Sea diving Santa dolphin" ornament that he bought me on my tree.
Nels Peterson
Tony
February 16, 2013
Gurks, you will always be my hero. I wouldn't be anywhere close to where I am today if it weren't for you. You have the kindest heart of anyone I had the pleasure of knowing. You will be deeply missed my friend, and will always remain in our hearts and thoughts.
Tina, I am so sorry. Distance has made us lose touch over the years and for that I am regretful. Please do know that Rosalie, the kids and I will always be here for you not matter what. Love you both!
Rose Gurka Wajszczuk
February 16, 2013
God Bless you Tina. You have Gurkolean strength too. Feb 8 ,1979 my Dad Leo Gurka died of cancer too. Our prayers are with you.
Lori & Dan Connolly
February 16, 2013
Tina, We am so sorry to hear of Phil's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
February 16, 2013
Tina,
With our deepest sympathy. We are so sorry to hear about your loss.
Randi and Michael
February 16, 2013
Tina - my heart goes out to you during this awful time. I have just the fondest memories of Phil and his memory will live on. You will be in my prayers. Kim Zanotti
Dancing Bears Just for you~
Mary Bauer
February 16, 2013
I miss you so much! Thank you for everything that you have done for my family. Adam, Avi, Andrew and I will always remember you as an incredible man. You save my life and Adam's life....passing on the message until the end. We will see Tina and others that love you so tomorrow at the celebration of your life~
Much love to you in Heaven.
Rita Hofmann
February 16, 2013
Tina, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Is there anything we can do to help you, please let us know.
Rita &Rick Hofmann
jen Blondin
February 16, 2013
Words can not express the saddness I am feeling for the family. Phil was so full of life and so postitive thru this. He was always laughing and cracking a joke. He will be missed dearly. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.
BetteAnn Slivka
February 15, 2013
Tina, I am so sorry for your loss. Phil was not only one of my favorite students, but also one of my all time favorite people. Memories of him will always bring a smile to my face. You are in my prayers.
Tim Jerman
February 15, 2013
Theresa and I are saddened by the news; Phil was so much fun as the transplanted Jersey boy in Vermont. What a great friend, I enjoyed every minute of his company in the short time I knew him.
Stephen Karpa
February 15, 2013
I am so sorry for your lose. Phil and I were friends in high school. He was a great person to know. My prayers are with your family at this time.
Susana Bolanos
February 15, 2013
Tina - you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry for your loss.
February 15, 2013
Would have never made it through Calculus or Physics w/o Pizzy!! Many good times and memories were shared with him!! Sorry to hear of his passing.RIP Bud!!
Mike Capps
February 15, 2013
I will truly miss you my friend. I will miss ouir conversations, will remember our challenging the Amazing Dogs record, closing that sushi place byu eating so much and the steak sandwich competition. Love ya man. Rest well!
Ruth Murphy
February 15, 2013
Dear Tina,
You and Phil have walked through this with so much grace, dignity and love. How generous you have been in letting so many people love Phil. I hope that you let all of us carry you through the dark times to come. You have taught me what being a loving, feeling grownup is all about. God bless you both. Love, Ruthie
Pete Varga
February 15, 2013
Phil, We haven't talked in years, but the brief time we spent together will remain forever in my heart. You always had a special gift to make people laugh and smile. Rest in Peace Buddy.
nick digiglio
February 15, 2013
pizzy ,remember raiding your moms refigeratore after all the holidays ,your a good guy and your in a better place bud ,god bless
Bob Perrin
February 15, 2013
Many a good times, Many a good laughs.
RIP Phil
My prayers to family and friends
Lisa Wells
February 15, 2013
Tina,
I'm so sorry for your loss. May the memories of all you shared together bring you peace and comfort.
linda ballard
February 15, 2013
I will miss your humor,wisdom and guidence. A smile comes to my face as I think of you.
Ben
February 15, 2013
He didn't hide behind walls, he didn't pretend to be anything he wasn't…he was real and present and exposed, and his personality was a tour-du-force free of vanity or false apology. I knew him and am a better man for it. I knew him and loved him, who didn't? I'm sad for all of us.
Donna Krutsick Kost
February 15, 2013
Many good memories of Piz will alway bring a smile to my face. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Ligia Jordao
February 15, 2013
Phil and Tina, two of my favorite people in the world! You Boston crew will miss you very much. We will never forget your smile and strength on this battle. Rest in peace Phil, in the place where there is no more pain. Tina we love you and our hearts break for your tremendous loss. May God give you strength on this painful journey of loss and healing.
Tina VanBuren
February 15, 2013
God Bless, you are in my thoughts and prayers
John C
February 15, 2013
God's speed my friend. No more worries.
Karen Stefanick
February 15, 2013
Tina so sorry for your loss.Pizzy the memories I have of you from childhood are all great ones!Always smiling,laughing,and you had a way about you that made everyone want to be around you!!Love Always!
Rebecca
February 15, 2013
You are now with Gomez. I pray for your eternal happiness, you will be missed but your kind heart will stay with those you touched forever!
Arthur
February 15, 2013
Gurks had an impact on everyone he came across. I'll always remember the conversations, the laughs, and of course, the meals that we shared. RIP Phil. You're certainly be missed by many.
Woog
February 15, 2013
Piz you were and still are the best. You had a great heart and were always there! Several people helped shape my thougts when growing up and you played prominent! Miss ya and love ya man! God Bless - Woog
Jeannette Butler
February 15, 2013
Tina, you and your family are in my prayers....
Michael Gottlieb
February 15, 2013
I had the pleasure to meet Phil through his wonderful wife, Tina. I am saddened by his loss.
Karen Mills
February 15, 2013
Tina, I am very sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs~ Karen
David Powell
February 15, 2013
Phil you are an amazing soul with a wonderful take on life. You always saw the silver lining in everything. You walked through this with a grace and dignity that few could match. You will be missed, but I will always remember you when I see the sunlight through the trees, birds busily chatting, or hear laughter. Thank you for being such an example.
Ken Smith
February 15, 2013
Tina: My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of grief. The wonderful memories you shared together will be with you the rest of your life. My Best...Ken Smith
Ken Komstead
February 15, 2013
Tina, I am so sorry, Phil was the best he will be missed.
February 15, 2013
Keeping you in our thoughts, Tina. We miss Phil.
Ron and Joni
February 15, 2013
Tina,
We are keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. We'll remember Phil as a fun loving person!
The Hoke's
Mario Scollo
February 15, 2013
Phil! I Love you man! Save a smoke for me!
Bill Brownlee
February 15, 2013
Phil,
I hope God has a good sense of humor! I'm sure you'll bring as much joy and laughter there as you have to our lives. You will be tremendously missed.
We love you,
Bill B (Mr Bill)
Brian Richard
February 15, 2013
Phil, you were a very special and kind friend and person. I'll miss you buddy. Love ya. B&W
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