Senator Joseph E. Gurzenda, 77, of 101 Grove St., McAdoo, passed away peacefully Monday at home surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Tresckow, March 24, 1937, he was a son of the late Joseph and Margaret Bodnar Gurzenda.
He was a lifelong resident of McAdoo, where he and his wife, Monica, raised their family.
He was a member of St. Kunegunda Church and, after its closing, became a member of St. Michael's Byzantine Church, the parish of his mother and grandparents.
Joseph attended University of Delaware and Kings College, specializing in liberal arts and business.
He was in active duty in both the Army and Merchant Marines from 1959 to 1962.
For his entire life, he was immersed in activity. His love for community and politics led him to founding the Schuylkill County Young Democrat Club, and while attending college, he was elected president of the Pennsylvania College Young Democratic Clubs. He was a campaign coordinator for the Schapp for Governor Campaign in 1969 and, after the election, was appointed to the Inaugural Committee. He was elected and served on the Hazleton Area School Board, the McAdoo Borough Council, and, ultimately, a term as Pennsylvania State Senator from 1977 to 1981, representing the 29th Senatorial District which included Carbon, Schuylkill and Monroe counties.
Afterwards, he worked for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in various capacities, founded a local coal company and owned and managed several area businesses. During the Rendell for Governor Campaign, he served as a coordinator for Northeastern PA. He was later nominated by Governor Rendell, serving two terms on the Pennsylvania Tax Equalization Board.
He was a longtime fan of the Boston Red Sox, enjoyed tennis and basketball in his younger days and loved fishing until recently when his health prevented it.
If asked, however, his proudest accomplishment and source of joy was his family, especially his three grandchildren, Sarah, Julia and Joey. Whether traveling, relaxing at the Pocono family cabin or simply visiting at home, he cherished his time with them and a lifetime of good memories will remain for all.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his younger sister, Jill Wisniewski.
He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, the former Monica Mulik; daughter, Dr. Bernadette Neiheiser and her husband, Dr. Paul, and their children, Sarah and Julia; son, Joseph and his wife, Karen, and their son, Joseph; sister, Mary Anilosky and her husband, Stanley, and their children and families.
Many lives were touched and many things were made better through his kindness, generosity and caring. The family would like to thank Dr. Phil Benyo and Phil Benyo Jr. for their many years of excellent medical care and compassion.
Funeral services were held from Stanley E. Anilosky Funeral Home, 145 S. Kennedy Drive, McAdoo, followed by Divine Liturgy with Office of Christian Burial in St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church, McAdoo. The Rev. George Bujnak was the celebrant. Interment was in St. Kunegunda's Cemetery, McAdoo.
Published in Republican & Herald on Sept. 25, 2014
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Senator Joseph E. Gurzenda, 77, of 101 Grove St., McAdoo, passed away peacefully Monday at home surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Tresckow, March 24, 1937, he was a son of the late Joseph and Margaret Bodnar Gurzenda.
He was a lifelong resident of McAdoo, where he and his wife, Monica, raised their family.
He was a member of St. Kunegunda Church and, after its closing, became a member of St. Michael's Byzantine Church, the parish of his mother and grandparents.
Joseph attended University of Delaware and Kings College, specializing in liberal arts and business.
He was in active duty in both the Army and Merchant Marines from 1959 to 1962.
For his entire life, he was immersed in activity. His love for community and politics led him to founding the Schuylkill County Young Democrat Club, and while attending college, he was elected president of the Pennsylvania College Young Democratic Clubs. He was a campaign coordinator for the Schapp for Governor Campaign in 1969 and, after the election, was appointed to the Inaugural Committee. He was elected and served on the Hazleton Area School Board, the McAdoo Borough Council, and, ultimately, a term as Pennsylvania State Senator from 1977 to 1981, representing the 29th Senatorial District which included Carbon, Schuylkill and Monroe counties.
Afterwards, he worked for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in various capacities, founded a local coal company and owned and managed several area businesses. During the Rendell for Governor Campaign, he served as a coordinator for Northeastern PA. He was later nominated by Governor Rendell, serving two terms on the Pennsylvania Tax Equalization Board.
He was a longtime fan of the Boston Red Sox, enjoyed tennis and basketball in his younger days and loved fishing until recently when his health prevented it.
If asked, however, his proudest accomplishment and source of joy was his family, especially his three grandchildren, Sarah, Julia and Joey. Whether traveling, relaxing at the Pocono family cabin or simply visiting at home, he cherished his time with them and a lifetime of good memories will remain for all.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his younger sister, Jill Wisniewski.
He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, the former Monica Mulik; daughter, Dr. Bernadette Neiheiser and her husband, Dr. Paul, and their children, Sarah and Julia; son, Joseph and his wife, Karen, and their son, Joseph; sister, Mary Anilosky and her husband, Stanley, and their children and families.
Many lives were touched and many things were made better through his kindness, generosity and caring. The family would like to thank Dr. Phil Benyo and Phil Benyo Jr. for their many years of excellent medical care and compassion.
Funeral services were held from Stanley E. Anilosky Funeral Home, 145 S. Kennedy Drive, McAdoo, followed by Divine Liturgy with Office of Christian Burial in St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church, McAdoo. The Rev. George Bujnak was the celebrant. Interment was in St. Kunegunda's Cemetery, McAdoo.
Published in Republican & Herald on Sept. 25, 2014
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