Obituaries and Memories
Anthony (Tony) Gurto
December 11, 1927
November 4, 2006
Obituary
Obituary
Anthony (Tony) Gurto, age 78 formerly of Conneaut, died Saturday evening, November 4, 2006 at Community Hospital and Wellness Center in Bryan, Ohio. Tony was born December 11, 1927 in Conneaut, the son of Peter and Mary (DelVeccio) Gurto. Tony was a 1945 graduate of Conneaut High School and went on to work at Nickel Plate Railroad. He then enlisted in the United States Army where he proudly served in the Korean Conflict until he was honorably discharged in 1952 and then served in the Army Reserve until 1956. He went back to work at Nickel Plate Railroad for a total of fourteen years. Tony also worked for the former Allied Resinous Company for a short while. He worked for Union Carbide Linde Air Division as an instrument man until his retirement in 1991.
Tony was a member of East Conneaut United Methodist Church and the Family Fellowship Sunday School Class. He served as a church Trustee and Chairman of the Building Committee. He was very instrumental in helping to design the plans for the current church where he spent much of his own time and volunteer work. Tony was a lifelong member of Conneaut until he moved to Montpelier, Ohio in 1994 where he attended Bridgewater Community Church. He was a former member of the Conneaut Elks Club, the Evergreen Masonic Lodge, and Lions Club of Montpelier. He also was involved with Conneaut Music Boosters serving on various committees.
Tony was an exceptional carpenter. In his younger years, he helped to build several homes, including his own, in the Conneaut area. On the side, he also worked doing house additions and carpentry work. He always loved building and designing solid hardwood furniture for friends and family. He was famous for saying, “Just draw up what you want and I’ll build it for you.”
Tony enjoyed watching the Cleveland Indians, Browns, and the Ohio State Buckeyes, yard work and gardening, freezing and canning fruits and vegetables, watching old western movies, playing Phase Ten, and vacationing in Florida during the winter months. He was very proud of his Italian heritage and attending the Annual Gurto Family Reunion. He especially loved his grandchildren and watching them grow up.
Tony was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Ellen (Eccleston) Gurto whom he married December 27, 1952; two brothers Joe and Frank Gurto; sisters Rosie Speer, Mary Moneypenny, and Suzie Petrovski, and infant sisters Filomena and Mary.
He is survived by his second wife, Lucile (Waterston) Gurto whom he married October 29, 1994; a daughter, Dana (and Joe) Raisian of Conneaut; two sons, David Gurto of Conneaut, and Dale (and Letty) Gurto of Oceanside, CA; four grandchildren, Toni and Jeff Raisian, and Christopher and Casey Gurto, all of Conneaut; a sister Florence (Effie) Lewis of Conneaut; three brothers, James (and B-Ann) Gurto of Wexford, PA, Christy (and Peggy) Gurto of West Palm Beach, Florida, and Pat (and Gayle) Gurto of Conneaut; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Howard and Elinor Eccleston of Conneaut; several nieces and nephews; step children Robert (and Robin) Lambright of Wauseon, Ohio, William (and Teresa) Lambright of Morenci, Michigan, Michael (and Alexa) Lambright of Archbold, Ohio, Marcia (and Ron) Nagucki or Whitehouse, Ohio, and Janette (and Wesley) Wagner of Bryan, Ohio; and several step-grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8, 2006 at the East Conneaut United Methodist Church, 809 Furnace Road, with Reverend Paula Marbury officiating. Burial will follow at St Joseph Cemetery in Conneaut.
Calling hours will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 7, 2006 at the RAISIAN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 581 Harbor Street.
Memorial contributions can be made to East Conneaut United Methodist Church or Bridgewater Community Church in Montpelier. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Comment (1)
Here is the poem Toni Rae read at the funeral for my dad.
Dana
To My Dearest Family:
Some things I’d like to say, but first of all to let you know that I
arrived okay
I’m writing this from Heaven, where I dwell with God above
Where there’s no more tears or sadness, there is just eternal love
Please do not be unhappy just because I’m out of sight
Remember that I’m with you every morning, noon and night
That day I had to leave you when my life on Earth was through
God picked me up and hugged me and He said I welcome you
It’s good to have you back again you were missed while you were gone
As for your dearest family they’ll be here later on
Then God gave me a list of things He wished for me to do
And foremost on that list of mine is to watch and care for you
And I will be beside you every day and week and year
And when you’re sad I’m standing there to wipe away the tear
And when you lie in bed at night, the day’s chores put to flight
God and I are closest to you in the middle of the night
When you think of my life on Earth and all those loving years
Because you’re only human they are bound to bring you tears
But do not be afraid to cry it does relieve the pain
Remember there would be no flowers unless there was some rain
When you are walking down the street and you’ve got me on your mind
I’m walking in your footsteps only half a step behind
And when you feel the gentle breeze or the wind upon your face
That’s me giving you a great big hug or just a soft embrace
And when it’s time for you to go from that body to be free
Remember you’re not going; you are coming here to me
And I will always love you from that land way up above
We’ll be in touch again soon
P.S. God sends His Love