Lawrence Gurnari

Lawrence Gurnari, 91, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 11, 2021 from complications of COVID 19 at River Run Skilled Nursing Facility, where he resided since July 2019. Lawrence was born in Kingston, to the late Catherine Provenziano Gurnari and Bruno Gurnari on November 16, 1929. He grew up in Luzerne and attended Luzerne High School. He was an avid bowler and caddied at the local golf courses while learning to play golf. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. As a corporal he served in the 527th Unit, Air Control & Warning Squadron as well as the 347th Unit, Fighter Bomber Wing, stationed in Japan and Korea during the Korean War. Mr. Gurnari was employed for over 25 years collectively by Robarts Steel, Pennsylvania Railroad, Penn Central Railroad, Conrail and retired from Amtrak. Larry also known as “Shark”, loved his family and was a devout husband and father, who made many friends. He always had a story to tell and enjoyed making others laugh. He greatly relished the game of golf and established numerous friendships at the Irem Temple Country Club, where he enjoyed assisting in the Pro Shop. To this day, he will be remembered in so many ways, including having fun with anyone who would give him the time with some golf talk on the long (putt); one that went in the hole for a win, or not (so close)! He especially loved working with young kids who enjoyed the jollity of being around the golfers and golf shop, many of them learning to play golf themselves. He was married to the late Helen Varaitis Gurnari on September 5th, 1953 and enjoyed 65 years together before Helen's passing in February, 2019. Both he and his wife were lifelong members of Holy Family Parish, formerly St Ann’s in Luzerne. At St Ann’s, he was very involved in the annual bazaars and in helping his father-in-law, the late Jacob Varaitis, St Ann’s church organist and sexton. He also enjoyed many summer gatherings at the family cottage at Harvey’s Lake. He was preceded in death, in addition to his wife and parents, by his brothers; Joseph, Dominick, Francis, Bruno Jr and Alfred. He is survived by his twin sons, Lawrence and wife Charleen of New Jersey, James and wife Debbie of Forty Fort and daughter Diana Hoover of Dallas. He is also survived by his grandchildren James of Bethesda, MD, Marisa Coldwell and her husband Peter of Bethlehem, PA and Lauren Hoover and her husband Leeland, and two great-grandchildren, CA, as well brothers Anthony, Angelo and sisters Ann Marie Padalski, Arlene Kane and sister-in-law Johanna Varaitis, including several nieces and nephews. The family would like to gratefully thank Dr. Mera and the staff at River Run Nursing Facility for the care, kindness and compassion taking care of Larry during his stay. Arrangements are pending due to the pandemic and a memorial service in his honor will be held at a later date. The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation for all acts of caring and kindness shown during this sorrowful time. In lieu of flowers, remembrance memorial donations can be made in honor of Lawrence Gurnari directly to: Irem Golf Association Memorial Fund, 70 Ridgeway Drive, Dallas, PA 18612 OR Alzheimer’s Association of PA, 57 N. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre.