Obituary: Walter A. Gurecki, 88, Of Meriden

MERIDEN, CT — (From Meriden Memorial Funeral Home): Walter A. Gurecki, 88, of Meriden, beloved husband of the late Irene (Kudla) Gurecki for 57 years, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at home in the loving care of his family.

Walter was born in Meriden, CT on October 30, 1935. He was the son of the late John and Mary (Berek) Gurecki and was the youngest of seven children.

Walter had many fond memories of his early years in St. Stanislaus School and Church where he participated in school sports and was an altar boy. Walter attended Meriden High and Wilcox Tech where he enjoyed playing for the varsity teams in both baseball and basketball.

During this time, Walter was also a member of the Polish Falcons of America. There he competed in gymnastics and basketball and winning several medals and trophies over the years. He was proud of his teams and accomplishments and later became a Polish Falcon instructor.

Walter graduated from Wilcox Tech in January 1956 with a trade in Tool and Die.

While still in high school, in 1954, Walter signed up for the U.S. Naval Reserves serving on weekends for two years. After graduation, he continued in the U.S. Navy for two years active duty, stationed in Key West, Florida on the USS Bushnell AS-15.

During this time, he traveled to Jamaica (Ocho Rios, Kingston and Montego Bay) along with Cuba and St Thomas. He patrolled the Windward Sound. He then served an additional three years as a reservist and was recalled to active duty for one year in San Diego. Walter was honorably discharged as Machinery Repairman 2nd Class (MR2).

At the age of 22, Walter started working at Pratt and Whitney in experimental tool and die. He worked in North Haven for 17 years and in East Hartford for 24 years. He retired from Pratt and Whitney on November 1, 1999 after 41 years.

Walter married Irene on May 14, 1966 and began raising his family. He had fond memories of fishing, horseshoes, picnics at Hubbard Park, bowling, coin collecting, playing cards and ping pong.

Walter is survived by his daughter Ann Marie Montefiore and husband David of Meriden; his daughter Joan Bostrom and husband Scott of Middletown; his son David Gurecki of Meriden; and his daughter Susan Otfinoski and fiancé Jeffrey Boccuzzio of Meriden; his beloved grandchildren including Christopher Montefiore and wife Victoria (Hausmann), Jenna Montefiore, Stephen Gurecki, Alex Bostrom, Camryn Gurecki, David Gurecki Jr. and honorary granddaughter Sophia Maxham; as well as several nieces and nephews in the United States. He is predeceased by his sister Jenette; and his brothers Stanley, Thaddeus, Joseph, Edward and Anthony.

Walter’s family will receive relatives and friends at the Meriden Memorial Funeral Home, 450 Broad St., Thursday, May 9, 2024, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held Friday, May 10, from the Meriden Memorial Funeral Home at 10 a.m., when the funeral procession will proceed to St. Stanislaus Church, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Interment with military honors will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery.

For online condolences, visit: www.meridenmemorialfh.com.