Gary "Duke" Gurge, 76, of Milford, beloved husband of Elaine Gurge, passed away on January 28, 2026. Born on September 2, 1949 in
Plainfield, NJ, he was the son of the late John and Lillian Gurge.
Duke was a devoted husband, proud family man, and a larger-than-life presence to everyone who knew him.
Known for his great singing voice and love of music, Duke especially enjoyed singing, dancing, and anything Elvis, a passion that brought joy to many gatherings over the years.
Duke dedicated 38 years of his life working at Sikorsky, where he was also an active member of Teamsters Local 1150 and the Sikorsky Fishing Club. His strong work ethic, loyalty, and camaraderie were evident throughout his long career and the friendships he formed along the way.
Never one to shy away from a little excitement, Gary enjoyed taking his chances at the casino and playing the lottery, always with a hopeful smile and a good story to tell. After retirement, he embraced life fully, traveling on cruises with the love of his life and making memories together.
Duke married his high school sweetheart, and their love story spanned an incredible 56 years. Together, they built a life rooted in love, commitment, and family. He took great pride in being a family man and will be remembered for his warmth, humor, and the deep love he had for those closest to him.
Along with his wife, Elaine, Gary is survived by his children, Christine Nichols and her partner, Jonathan Kinnie and Cheryl Gurge and her partner, Erving Santana; his grandchildren, Taylor and Scott Nichols; his siblings, Susan Gurge, Richard (Norma) Gurge, and Carol (Joe) Streeto; his brother in law, Joseph (Susan) Zutant; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Gary is predeceased by his brothers, John and Michael Gurge.
Family and friends are invited to gather on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at the Cody-White Funeral Home, 107 Broad Street, Milford. Interment will be private. The event will be live streamed, to view the live service please click here.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Duke's honor can be made to St. Jude's Children Hospital online at www.stjude.org
To leave online condolences, please visit our website at www.codywhitefuneralservice.com