Russell F. Gursky

Russell F. Gursky, age 97, passed away peacefully at his home in  Tucson, AZ, on Thursday, August 19, 2010. He was born in Chicago on May 22, 1913, the son of Fred Gursky and Jennie (Gundlach) Gursky Montanaro. He was married for 65 years to Alice Tyler, who died in December 2000. Russ was an industrial engineer at AMETEK, Inc. in Illinois for almost 40 years and moved to Tucson with his wife in 1976.

Alice and Russell were founding members of St. Alban's Episcopal Church. He was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and was a member of the Sabbar Shrine Temple where he served as secretary of the Greeters' Unit for 14 years and as their treasurer for 2 years. As a part of the Tucson Police Department's Police Assist Group for over 20 years, he was named Volunteer of the Year in 2001 and 2002, was awarded TPD's Medal of Service, and was invited by the White House to officially welcome President George W. Bush to Tucson in March 2005. In addition, he received the Tributes to Aging Inspiration Award in 1998, and was recognized by the Tucson Citizen with an Unsung Hero Award in 2006.

Besides his beloved wife, Alice, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Dorathy and Violet.

He is survived by daughters Dorathy (Ray) Ball and Deanna Gursky; grandchildren Cheryl (Rick) Lane, Linda (Don) Hunt, and Bob Hicklin plus three great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at Martin Funeral Home in Bloomington at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 28, 2010, with Rev. Diane Markevitch. Burial with Masonic services was in Bloomington Cemetery, Bloomington. Family and friends called on Saturday, August 28, 2010, from 12:30 p.m. until time of services at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona; 3450 N. Kelvin Blvd.; Tucson, AZ 85716.