HERKIMER-Ronald John Gurtowski age 59 passed away unexpectedly on Friday morning January 24, 2014 in Little Falls Hospital. He had the comfort of his loving family at his side. He was born on February 13, 1954 in Herkimer, son of the late William and Bernadette Norejko Gurtowski. A lifelong Herkimer resident he was first educated in Saint Josephs Catholic School and graduated from Herkimer High School. He furthered his education at Mohawk Valley Community College where he earned an Associates degree and went on to SUNY Institute of Technology where he graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree. On April 14, 1974 he was united in marriage with the former Mary Alice Humphrey in Christ Episcopal Church in Herkimer. In 1974 Mr. Gurtowski went to work for the Remington Arms Company in Ilion where he worked as an engineer. He retired in 2012 after thirty-eight years of dedicated service. Ron had a strong faith in God and was a member Saint Augustines Episcopal Church in Ilion. He enjoyed sports, in high school playing Junior and senior varsity basketball and in his adult years playing golf with the Remington Wednesday Night Golf League. Mr. Gurtowski was a member of the Herkimer Central School Board and the village of Herkimer Zoning Board of Appeals. To all who knew him, he was happiest when he was with his many friends and family especially his cherished grandchildren. He will be truly missed. Surviving him are his devoted wife of thirty-nine years Mary Alice, two sons and their wives, Andrew and Sherie Gurtowski of East Herkimer, John and Mary Gurtowski of Yorkville, two brothers and their wives, Thomas and Roberta Gurtowski of Seattle, WA, Richard and Sylvia Gurtowski of Vicksburg, MS, a sister-in-law, Marcia Humphrey and her husband Joseph Sewell of Weare, NH ,five grandchildren, Brian Gurtowski and his companion Lacey Stevens, Benjamin Gurtowski, Carol Price, Patrick Gurtowski and Elizabeth Lizzie Gurtowski and special family friend John Rogers and several nieces and nephews. Besides his own parents, he was predecease by his mother and father-in-law, Marshall and Stephania Humphrey. Calling hours for Mr. Gurtowski will be on Monday (today) from 5:00 until 8:00 pm in Fenner Funeral Home, Inc., 115 Court Street; Herkimer. Funeral service with Holy Eucharist will take place on Tuesday at 2:00 pm in Saint Augustines Episcopal Church with the Reverend John Bassett Rector officiating. Interment will be later this spring in Oak Hill Cemetery at a time to be announced. Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to the Saint Augustines Episcopal Church Memorial Fund or the New York Presbyterian Hospital Lung Transplant Unit. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to MOVAC and the Little Falls Hospital Emergency Room personnel as well as Dr. Lee Edmonds pulmonologist of Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown for the care and compassion shown to Ronald and his family.