Joseph Gurecka, Sr.

JOSEPH  LOUIS “LOU” GURECKA

Lou Gurecka, age 94 died at his home in Jefferson Hills, Pennsylvania on Thursday, June 24, 2021, surrounded by family members.  He was born in Vandergrift, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania on October 14, 1926 one of five children of Joseph Andrew Gurecka and Maria (Baka) Gurecka.

He graduated from Vandergrift High School, received his undergraduate degree in Accounting from Duquesne University and a Master’s degree in Business from the University of Pittsburgh.  Lou was in the U. S. Army during World War II as a Staff Sergeant, serving in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater.  He then proceeded to work for US Steel for 40 years. First in the Accounting Department at the Clairton Works, before moving the corporate headquarters in downtown Pittsburgh in the real estate division.

He was a member of St. Paulinas Catholic Church in the Wilson section of Clairton, Pennsylvania, later joining St. Thomas A’ Becket Catholic Church in Jefferson Hills, where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the church Choir.  At the time of his death he was Vice President of his local AARP Chapter.  He enjoyed golf, bowling, bocce ball, Bridge, travel and music.  He shared his vocal talents as a member of the Yankee Doodle Dandies and entertained numerous groups for many years.  Lou was an avid fan of Pittsburgh sports, especially the Pirates.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara A. (Fitzgerald) Gurecka in 2018 and all of his four siblings, brothers, Frank and Andrew Gurecka and sisters, Margaret Pastava and Mary Ann Notornicola, who all lived in Vandergrift.

He is survived by his six children, Eileen (Joseph) Hill of Moneta, Virginia, Joseph (Helen) Gurecka, Jr. of Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania, Michael Gurecka of Meriden, Connecticut, Christine (Thomas) Keonig of Mobile, Alabama, Sandra (Charles “Flip”) Benack of Jefferson Hills and Robert (Dena) Gurecka of Sewickley, Pennsylvania; 8 grandchildren, Jeffrey (Lorie) Hill, Jonathan (Elke) Hill, Monica Hill, Nicole (Alex) Brudner, Jake Benack, Jennifer Koenig Palyok, Diana Gurecka and Jordan Gurecka and 5 great grandchildren, Blake, Luke, Ethan and Greyson Palyok and Amelia Nash Hill.  He is also survived by nieces, Jeannie (Pastava) Brouwer, Marie Notornicola and nephews, Frank Gurecka, Jr., Louis (Sandy) Gurecka and Nicholas Notornicola.

Friends will be received in the Stephen D. Slater Funeral Home 1701 Route 51 Jefferson Hills, PA 15025 (412-384-0350) www.stephendslater.com on Monday, June 28, 2021, from 1 – 4 PM and 6 – 8 PM.   A Mass of Christian Burial for Lou will be Celebrated in Triumph of the Holy Cross Parish, St. Thomas A’ Becket Church at 11 AM on Tuesday, June 29, 2021. EVERYONE PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH .  His burial with Military Honors will follow in Jefferson Memorial Park Cemetery.

If desired, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.