John Joseph Gurchin, 82, of Sargeant St., Hartford, died peacefully on Wednesday, (February 2, 2000) at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center. Born in Carbondale, PA on February 6, 1917, he had lived in Hartford for the past 53 years. He was the son of the late John and Anna Gurchin. John served with the United States Merchant Marines and The United States Navy, and worked in the local area for the Hartford Electric Light Co., as well as Pratt & Whitney Aircraft where he retired in 1982. He was a member of the Cathedral of St. Joseph Church, Archdiocese of Hartford, and was active for many years as a member of the Asylum Hill community. John was the loving husband of the late Alberta Lorraine (Richard) Gurchin, who died on November 28, 1993. They were married for 46 years. He leaves behind six sons, Robert J. Gurchin of Cromwell, John P. Gurchin of Avon, Richard C. Gurchin of New York, NY, Alan J. Gurchin of Hartford, Lt Col Randy P. Gurchin, USAF of Papillion, NE, and Gregory M. Gurchin of Quincy, MA. He also leaves two sisters, Helen G. Mack of Clarks Summit, PA and Helen Paerels of Belleville, NJ; two daughters-in-law, Jeanne R. Gurchin and Kelley J. Gurchin; and grandchildren, Jeremy R. Gurchin, Brent C. Gurchin, Rachel A. Gurchin, all of Avon, and Sean M. Gurchin, Kerry R. Gurchin, and Ryan J. Gurchin, all of Papillion, NE; and many nieces and nephews. He is fondly remembered by his family as a devoted father and grandfather who had a strong spirit and a great tenacity to overcome obstacles in life. We also remember him as a captivating story-teller of incidents and episodes in his life which were always of great interest and fascination to us and a man of great generosity. Friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 180 Farmington Ave., Hartford, Sunday, from 4-7 p.m. Funeral procession from The Ahern Funeral Home will be Monday at 9:15 a.m., followed by the Funeral Liturgy in The Cathedral of St. Joseph at 10 a.m. Burial will be in the family plot in Mount St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. In lieu of flowers, and in memory of his loving wife, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Research Forum Foundation, c/o The Fidelity Foundation, 82 Devonshire St., Boston, MA, 12109. |