Sep. 20, 1919 - Mar. 26,
2008 Age 88
Jimmy died from complications from open heart surgery James. V. Gurto - Obituary
http://www.raisianfuneralhome.com/obituaries.htm
James V. Gurto, 88 of Wexford, Pa, died peacefully on
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at UPMC Passavant following complications from open
heart surgery.
Jim was born in Conneaut on September 20, 1919 the
son of Peter and Mary Gurto.
He was a proud WWII veteran in the 67th Squadron of
the Pacific Air Force and a life-long member of the American Legion Post 151
of Conneaut and a member of Salem United Methodist Church. He was retired
from U.S. Airways following 33 years of dedicated service. In his retirement
years he enjoyed woodworking, traveling and spending time with his family. He
was an avid Pittsburgh sports enthusiast.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; three
sisters, Rose Speer, Mary Moneypenny, and Sue Petrovski; and three brothers,
Anthony Gurto, Frank Gurto and Joe Gurto.
Jim is survived by his beloved wife of over 60
years, Elizabeth "Bea" Gurto; daughters, Nancy Burford of Greensburg, PA,
Janice and David White of Bellingham, WA, and Patricia Kolling of Wexford. He
was the loving grandfather of Daniel and David Burford; Amanda Purdie, Kelley
and Jennifer Kolling. He is also survived by his sister, Florence Lewis of
Conneaut; and brothers, Pat and Gayle Gurto of Conneaut, and Christy and
Peggy Gurto of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will welcome friends from 3 p.m. to 8
p.m. on Friday, March 28, 2008 and 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 29,
2008 at the George A Thomas Funeral Home, Inc., 10418 Perry Hwy., Wexford, PA.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 29,
2008 at 12 Noon at Salem United Methodist Church, 350 Manor Road, Wexford, PA,
followed by interment in Pinewood Memorial Gardens in Cranberry Twp.
Memorial contributions can be made to UPMC Passavant
Foundation, 9100 Babcock Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15237 of to Salem United
Methodist Church.
Envelopes are also available at the Raisian Family
Funeral Home, 581 Harbor St., Conneaut.
Jun. 15, 1921 - Mar. 15,
2011 Age 89 Christy died from complications
from pneumonia Christy P. Gurto - Obituary
CHRISTY P. GURTO,
of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, a man of Catholic faith went to the Lord on
Tuesday, March 15, 2011.
Christy was
born June 15, 1921 in Conneaut, Ohio he was the son of Peter and Mary (DelVecchio)
Gurto.
A man whose greatest love was
his family who will miss him dearly, the love of his life, his wife of 64 years
Margaret (Peggy) Harkabus Gurto, his adoring daughters and sons-in-law Diane &
Barry Vorse of Jacksonville, FL, Lynne & Henry Quartullo, of West Palm Beach,
FL, and Michele & Michael DeLong of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, his beloved
grandchildren Alan & Shannon Vorse of Bloomington, MN, Steven Veil of Orlando,
FL, Lauren Veil of PBG, FL, James DeLong of California & Jared DeLong of
Georgia, brother & sister in law Pat & Gayle Gurto, sister Florence Lewis of
Conneaut, sister in law Joanne Cummins Fox of Georgia, sister in law Lorraine
Gurto of Conneaut and BAnn Gurto of Wexford, PA, and many nieces, nephews,
great nieces and great nephews.
Christy was preceded in death
by his parents, Peter and Mary Gurto, and nine brothers and sisters, James,
Anthony, Frank and Joseph Gurto, Rose Speer, Mary Moneypenny, Sue Petrovski and
two infant sisters.
A man of our nation’s Greatest Generation who served his country in the
U.S. Army in the Aleutians Campaign and saw action at Dutch Harbor and Kiska.
An electrician by trade, he helped build Mother Cabrini Catholic Church and the
Veterans Memorial Wall in front of Conneaut City Hall. He moved his family to
Florida in 1966 and became a small business owner of motels and dry cleaning
establishments.
A man who believed in serving others as an usher at St. Paul of the Cross
Catholic
Church,
past Faithful Navigator of Knights of Columbus Father Andrew Doherty
Assembly,
past Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus Council 2075, Trustee of Knights of
Columbus Council 4999, a life member of the American Legion Post 12 in WPB and
Cowle Post 151 in Conneaut, Ohio.
A man who helped his community especially the children through his dedicated
service to the Hope Rural School in Indiantown and R.J. Hendley Christian School
in Riviera Beach, FL and helping the needy by volunteering daily by picking up
and delivering food to the St. George’s Soup Kitchen. He touched the lives of
all those who were fortunate to have known him.
The family will receive friends at the Quattlebaum Funeral Home, WPB on Friday,
March 18th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. A celebration of his life and Mass of the
Resurrection will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 11:00 am at St. Paul of
the Cross Catholic Church, Palm Beach Gardens. Burial with full military honors
immediately following at Royal Palm Garden Cemetery.
To continue his charitable work, the family suggests that donations be made in
his memory to Hope Rural School, 15929 SW 150th Street, Indiantown, FL 34956 or
the R. J. Hendley Christian School, 2800 Avenue R , Riviera Beach, FL 33404.
Let this be
his epitaph that he spent his life helping the poor, the needy and the less
fortunate. He now goes to his final reward leaving a legacy of good works and
charitable deeds. A long life well lived.
Mass Program
Christy Gurto Eulogy
Reflections on Christy Gurto, Our Hope Rural
Angel
Sister Mary Dooley, SSND
A true Christian
is one who seeks to embody love, reaching out to embrace others in
both their beauty and their agony. St. Augustine describes this well:
“Love had hands to help
others,
It has feet to hasten to the
aid of the poor and needy
It has eyes to see misery and
want,
It has ears to hear the sighs
and sorrows of others,
That’s what LOVE looks like.”
Christy Gurto embodied
love to his many loves- his dear Peggy, his precious daughters, Diane, Lynne
and Michelle and their families, his beloved brothers and sisters and their
families, his church, the Knights, St. George’s Soup Kichen, the Hendley
Christian School, Hope Rural School and so many others.
As I reflect on Christy
and his relationship with Hope Rural School, the song that resonates with me
is “You Are Always On My Mind.” Hope Rural School was always on
Christy’s mind. He was like the persistent person in scripture-
constantly begging, requesting, asking- not for himself but for the children
of Hope Rural School.
You never knew WHEN-you
never knew WHAT but you always knew that every few weeks
Christy would appear in Indiantown. His car could go on automatic pilot from
Palm Beach Gardens to Hope Rural. Most of the time he drove out alone but
when he wasn’t feeling well, Mike or his grandson, George McDonagh or
another knight would bring him out.
He’d come to the back
door to Tonya, drop off candy, toys, food, school supplies or
whatever- then he’s find his way to my office, many times with a small
white envelope and his camera. He’d sit in the chair and with a big grin
on his face, say, “I got a little something for you.” and present me with a
check. It might be for a Christmas party for the kids, a luncheon for the
staff, something for the girl scouts or for the school. Next would
always be the same 2 questions and a statement-
How are
you? What do you need? I’ll see what I can do!
I’m sure many of you in
this church today were asked those same two questions and received the same
statement. Christy always wanted to know how you were, was there anything
you needed and he’d see what he could do.
We all know how much
Christy loved being a Knight and all that went with that role. He tried to
get the Knights to see that his charities were the most important. Whenever
I would go to a Knights function, Christy wanted me to work the room, meet
all the Knights, especially the Grand Knight to seek support for the school.
Hope Rural has so many
reminders of Christy’s persistence- our beautiful flag pole and flag,
the 20 keyboards in the music, room ,and the list could go on and on. My
last conversation with Christy was a week ago when he was in the hospital.
He was on oxygen, not feeling great but he said, “I have to make a few phone
calls- we have to get your kids socks and underwear for Easter.” I
pleaded with him to forget it and just get well but he told me to let him
be.
Peggy and family,
Knights and friends of Christy, we know what an advocate he was for
us here on earth. Can you imagine what he’s going to put God through now!!!
The roles have been
reversed. I think God is now asking Christy those same 2 questions- how
are you? what do you need?
And Christy’s response
will be, “ I’m great but my Peggy needs this, my family, my grandkids, my
knights, my Hendley and Hope Rural kids need that, and God will smile at
Christy and say” I’ll see what I can do”
What an advocate we have
in heaven. Christy will never forget us and we will never forget him.
Hope Rural School extends its deepest
sympathy to Christy’s many loves. Joining me today is Sister Kate, the
principal of Hope Rural, two representatives from our Hope Rural Girl Scout
Troop, Eliza Esteban and Lizzie Dominguez and Brian Mendoza, a 2nd
grader, who will now offer a tribute from the Hope Rural Family for our dear
friend, Christy Gurto.
That Man is a Success
Robert Louis
Stevenson
Who has lived well
laughed often and loved much;
Who has gained the respect
of intelligent men
and the love of children;
Who has filled his niche
and accomplished his task;
Who leaves the world better
than he found it,
whether by an improved poppy
or a perfect poem
or a rescued soul;
Who never lacked appreciation
of earth’s beauty
or failed to express it;
Who looked for the best in others
and gave the best he had.
That man is you, Christy Gurto,
our Hope Rural Angel.
We love you and we will never forget you.
Dad, Missing you even more today on
your 90th Birthday and Father's Day this Sunday. I am visualizing you and
your brothers and sisters and Grandma and Grandpa all sitting around a big
table celebrating your day and enjoying a glass of wine and Grandma's
delicious ravioli (3 ravioli would fill a plate). I can hear the laughter
as Uncle Joe tells one of his silly stories that you all have heard before,
but you enjoy it as if hearing it for the very first time. Our hearts are
still so badly broken, but we know you are at peace forever with perfect joy
and beauty in God's everlasting light - Safely home in Heaven.
Loving you and all
the memories we have of you that we will continue to cherish.
CLEVELAND — John “Johnny” Kazimer Jr., age 24, of
Cleveland, Ohio, died unexpectedly Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012.
Johnny was
born in Cleveland on May 14, 1988, the son of John and Faye (Moneypenny)
Kazimer Sr.
He is survived by his parents; two loving brothers, Shane Kazimer and
Jesse Kazimer; and his paternal grandmother, Gladys Kazimer, all of
Cleveland; eight uncles; and seven aunts.
Johnny was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Louis
Kazimer; and maternal grandparents, John Moneypenny and Mary Gurto
Moneypenny.
Calling Hours will be held on Monday, Dec. 17th, from 2 to 5
p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at GOLUBSKI FUNERAL HOME, 5986 Ridge Road, Parma,
Ohio.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on
Tuesday, Dec. 18th, at St. Thomas More, 4170 North Amber, Brooklyn, Ohio
44144. Burial will follow at Brooklyn Heights Cemetery, 4700 Broadview
Road, Cleveland, Ohio.
Obituary and condolences at www.raisianfuneralhome.com and
starbeacon.com.
CONNEAUT — Florence A. “Effie” (Gurto) Lewis, age 83, of
Conneaut, Ohio, died unexpectedly Saturday, July 13, 2013, at her home.
Effie was born on August 3, 1929, in Conneaut, the daughter of Peter and
Mary Del Vecchio Gurto. She graduated from Conneaut High School and married
her late husband, William D. “Bill” Lewis on Oct. 21, 1948.
Along with her sister, Rosie Speer, she was CO-owner of the former
“Rose’s Pizza Shop” in Conneaut. Effie was a babysitter for 17 years. She
also lived in Ococee, Fla., for 22 years and returned to Conneaut.
Effie was a member of St. Mary/ St. Frances Cabrini Parish.
She enjoyed needlepoint, crocheting and baby-sitting. She also enjoyed
baking and cooking Italian food, and especially loved her house and taking
care of her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, William D. “Bill”
Lewis; sisters, Rose Speer, Susie Petrovski, Mary Moneypenny, and infant
sisters, Mary Gurto and Filmenia Gurto; and brothers, James Gurto, Christy
Gurto, Anthony Gurto, Frank Gurto, and Joseph Gurto.
Effie is survived by her son, Johnny A. and Pam Lewis of Ocoee, Fla.;
grandchildren, Emilee Lewis of Ocoee, Fla., and Johnny A. Lewis II;
great-grandson, Johnny Lewis III of Conneaut; great-great grandson, Dominic;
brother, Pat and Gayle Gurto of Conneaut; and several nieces and nephews.
Calling Hours will be held TODAY, Tuesday, July 16th, from 6 to 8
p.m. at the RAISIAN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 581 Harbor St., Conneaut.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American
Heart Association in Effie’s memory.
View the obituary and sign the guestbook at
www.raisianfuneralhome.com and starbeacon.com.
Peggy
Gurto - September 9, 1924 - November 11, 2013 Age
89
Peggy died from complications from a fall
Peggy Gurto Obituary
WEST
PALM BEACH, FLORIDA
Margaret
(Peggy) Gurto, age
89, a woman of Catholic faith, went to the Lord on November 12, 2013.
Peggy was
born on September 9, 1924 in Youngstown, Ohio, the daughter of Albert and
Madeline (Edel) Harkabus. She grew up with her two brothers, Bob & Bill
Harkabus, and a sister JoAnne Fox. All preceded her in death.
Peggy
graduated with Honors from Woodrow Wilson High School in Youngstown, Ohio. She
volunteered with the U.S.O. during World War II.
She moved
to Conneaut, Ohio as a key employee of the Astatic Corporation when the company
relocated. In 1945, she met the love of her life Christy Gurto. They were
married on July 3, 1946 in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Conneaut and celebrated
64 wonderful years of marriage. Peggy also worked for many years as a cashier
at the A & P grocery store in Conneaut.
She was an
active club woman throughout her life, taking leadership roles in numerous
organizations. Her service as President of the Conneaut High School PTA earned
her the honor “Club Woman of the Year.” She served as past president of various
groups in Ohio and Florida including the American Legion Auxiliary Post 12,
Women’s Club of St. Juliana and St. Paul of the Cross Parishes, and the past
secretary of the Ladies of K of C #4999. Together, she and Christy were active
and supported many organizations and charities.
The family
moved to Florida in 1966 where they became small business owners of motels and
dry cleaning establishments. For many years, they returned to Ohio during the
summer months and ran Pymatuning Bicycle Rentals near the state park. Always
active in church related organizations, the couple made Cursillo #15, and as
members of the Lady of Fatima Rosary Society made over 9,000 rosaries that were
blessed and distributed to nursing homes and to the poor all over the world.
Peggy was an integral part of Christy’s ministry to Hope Rural Catholic School
and R.J. Hendley Christian School, and continued to support them.
She donated
her time, her arts and crafts and needlepoint to the St. Juliana’s and St.
Paul’s yearly Bazaars. She knitted numerous mohair sweaters for her teenage
daughters and knitted all her children and grandchildren scarves and hats, as
well as personalized dog blankets for the family pets. She enjoyed playing
bridge and continued to read the newspaper bridge column daily.
Peggy made
the most delicious spaghetti sauce and meatballs for her Italian family, but
seldom ate Italian food. She enjoyed making balish, apple crisp, pecan pies,
and pizzelles for her family and friends.She and Christy loved to go dancing at the American
Legion and Knights of Columbus functions. Peggy always loved having the latest
fashions and shoes and dressed to the “9’s” her entire life. She and Christy
shared a wonderful, loving life together.
Christy
passed away on March 15, 2011 and left a void in her heart. She lived with her
daughter and son-in-law Michele & Michael DeLong until her death, and was happy
to be the caregiver to the family’s dog Holly. Her charitable deeds continued
as she donated her entire household to charities that helped needy single
mothers and Vietnam vets get back on their feet.
She was a
woman who was devoted to God and to her family. She will be greatly missed by
her loving daughters and sons-in-law Diane & Barry Vorse, Jacksonville, FL,
Lynne & Henry Quartullo, West Palm Beach, FL and Michele & Michael DeLong, Port
Orange, FL, and her adoring grandchildren: Alan & Shannon Vorse of Bloomington,
MN, Steven & Tara Veil of Brandon, FL, Lauren Veil of Jupiter, FL, James DeLong
of West Palm Beach, FL and Jared & Erin DeLong of Valdosta, GA.
She will
also be remembered by family and lifelong friends who loved her dearly: Pat &
Gayle Gurto, Lorraine Gurto, B-Ann Gurto, Lee Armeni, Ruth Gerics, Eddie
Zappitelli, Gordon Fox, and many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and great
nephews. She touched the lives of all those who were fortunate to have known
her.
The family
will receive friends at the Quattlebaum Funeral Home, 1201 South Olive Avenue,
West Palm Beach, FL on Sunday, November 17 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. A celebration
of her life and Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Monday, November 18 at
10:00 a.m. at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, North Palm Beach. A
private burial will be held at Royal Palm Memorial Gardens in West Palm Beach,
FL.
In lieu of
flowers, the family suggests making a donation to the Hope Rural Catholic School
15929 SW 150th Street, Indiantown, FL 34956 or R.J. Hendley
Christian School 2800 Avenue R, Riviera Beach, FL 33404.
LET THIS BE
HER EPITAPH: A LOVING WOMAN, MOTHER AND WIFE WHO LED AN EXEMPLARY LIFE THAT WAS
FULL AND RICH. SHE WAS DEVOTED TO HER FAITH, HER FAMILY AND HER FRIENDS. SHE
WILL BE MISSED. REST IN PEACE.
Condolences
can be sent via the guest book at www.quattlebaum.com.
