A memorial service will be held Sept. 27 for Richard “Dick” J. Gurska of Thornton Woods, formerly of Mount Hickory Boulevard, both Hermitage. He passed away of natural causes at 5:35 p.m. Sunday (8-31-14) in Banner Hospice at Grandview Terrace, Sun City West, Ariz., after an extended illness. He was 87. Mr. Gurska was born Jan. 15, 1927, in Rye, N.Y., a son of Gustav and Lena Gurska. He graduated from high school in New York at the age of 17 and enlisted in the Army. Mr. Gurska was a swimming instructor while in the Army and received an honorable discharge. He graduated from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in Metallurgy and Materials. Dick first worked in the steel industry with Crucible Specialty Steel, Butler, Wis., and later retired from the former Sharon Steel Corp.’s Farrell plant. In 1989, at the age of 62, Richard co-founded AML Industries which just celebrated 25 years of business. He served as past president and chief executive officer at AML Industries; to say he loved his work would be an understatement. He was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church, Sharon. A 32nd degree Mason, Dick belonged to Free and Accepted Masons Lodge 810, Hermitage, and was a member of Scottish Rite’s New Castle Consistory, Zem Zem Shrine of Erie and Mercer County Shrine Club. He was a longtime member of the former Sharon Country Club. As a volunteer, Dick enjoyed providing transportation for the less fortunate to the Shriners Hospital in Erie. He also gave much of his time to the Meals on Wheels program in Sharon. Dick was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who loved his family. In his spare time, he enjoyed reading and traveling. He is survived by: his wife, Virjeane Gurska, Arizona, and her daughter, Jeane Perantoni and her husband Gary; Dick’s four children, Richard Gurska and his wife Karen, Minnesota; Patricia Combs and her husband Damen, Mexico; Cynthia Marie Gurska, Sharon; and David G. Gurska and his wife Gina, Hermitage; 10 grandchildren, Anthony Neuman, Robert Gurska, Mary Cuff, Daniel Gurska, David Fulcher, Brandy Dalton, Lindsay Fulcher, Lexy and Matt Gurska, and Meghan Frehse; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Harriet Marie Gurska, whom he married Aug. 24, 1974; his daughter, Catherine “Cathi” Anne Gurska; a brother, Gustav Gurska; and an infant grandson. His family suggests that anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution in his memory to please consider Shriners Hospitals for Children, 1645 W. 8th St., Erie, PA 16505; or Buhl Farm Trust, 715 Hazen Road, Hermitage, PA 16148. GURSKA Richard J. “Dick,” 87, Thornton Woods, formerly of Mount Hickory Boulevard, both Hermitage. Calling hours: 11 a.m. to time of service Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014, in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Friends may e-mail condolences by visiting www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com Service: Memorial service at noon Sept. 27, 2014, in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Dr. Glenn M. Hink, senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Sharon, officiating.