Obituary of Frederick James Schurk, Sr.

CHESHIRE – Frederick (Fred) James Schurk, Sr., 87, of Cheshire, formerly of West Haven, passed away Sunday, September 23, 2018 at Masonicare Health Center in Wallingford.  He was the beloved husband of Constance (Kulenski) Schurk who were wed on Thanksgiving Day in 1955 and celebrated over 62 years of marriage. 

Fred was born July 28, 1931 in New Haven, the son of the late Frederick Marvin and Mary (Nolan) Schurk. He attended the Boardman Trade School in New Haven where he graduated solitarian in his class from the school’s carpentry program in 1950.  While residing in West Haven, he was a communicant of St. Paul’s Church.  He worked for P. Francini Construction in Derby, Taulman Construction in Orange and retired in 1995 from the Yale University Physical Plants Carpentry Shop. He was a standing member and acting treasurer of the Carpenters Union, Local 24 in Wallingford.

Fred’s skills as a master carpenter could be seen in the home he built for his family in West Haven and the many pieces of custom furniture that he built for their home in Cheshire, as well as the handcrafted gifts he proudly crafted for friends and family. His hobbies included fishing, boating, woodworking, NASCAR racing and the many 4-legged friends that he cared for over the years. He also supported the Local Boy Scouts Troop 15 in West Haven as quartermaster and was a member of the City Point Yacht Club.

Fred is survived by his eldest son Frederick J. Schurk, Jr. and wife Kelli of Chester, his youngest son Christopher Schurk and wife Alina of Hamden; his youngest daughter Lisa Schurk of Cheshire; his son-in-law Charles Temple of Bordentown NJ; as well as his grandchildren, Holly Schurk, Nicholas Romano and Marisa Romano. He is predeceased by his daughter Marsha Temple.

A private service for family members at the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 South Main St.  Burial will be held at the convenience of the family and there are no calling hours.  Memorial contributions in Frederick’s memory may be made to the ASPCA, 424 E. 92nd St., New York, NY 10128-6804.