Biography

03/24/1937 - 09/22/2014

Joseph E. Gurzenda (D29) Carbon, Monroe (Part) and Schuylkill Counties 1977-1980

Early Life:

Joseph E. Gurzenda, born March 24, 1937, Tresckow, Carbon County, Pennsylvania; son of Joseph and Margaret Bodnar Gurzenda; University of Delaware; King's College, Real Estate Institute, Waddell and Reed Brokerage School; Army, 1959, Merchant Marines, 1961-1962; administrator, Department Transportation; vice chairman, Hazleton Area School Board; president, McAdoo Borough Council; elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1976-1980; business entrepreneur, small retail businesses; strip mine management and development; gubernatorial appointment, Tax Equalization Board, 2004; married, Monica Mulik, children, Bernadette, Joseph, three grandchildren; died, September 22, 2014 (aged 77), McAdoo, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania; Interment, Saint Kunegunda's Cemetery, McAdoo, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.

Professional titles; business ownership; board memberships; local government; club memberships:

Member, Saint Kunegunda Church, after its closing, member of Saint Michael's Byzantine Church; founder, Schuylkill County Young Democrat Club; president, Pennsylvania College Young Democratic Club; campaign coordinator, Milton Schapp for Governor Campaign, 1969, after the election, appointed, Inaugural Committee. Coordinator, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Rendell for Governor Campaign. 

Pennsylvania Politics:

Vice Chairman, Hazleton Area School Board, president, McAdoo Borough Council

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 29th district, Carbon, Monroe (Part) and Schuylkill Counties, 1977-1980; committee assignments, Aging and Youth (Chairman), Law and Justice (Vice Chairman), Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Constructional Changes and Federal Relations, Education, Environmental Resources, Transportation. 

Gubernatorial appointment, Governor Edward G. Rendell, Tax Equalization Board, 2004.

Cited:

Cox, Harold. "Senate Members "G"". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.

The Pennsylvania Manual (1978-1979). Ackley, G. (Editor). Arcuri, P. D. (Editor). (Volume 104). The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pages 76, 87. Biographical Sketches of Senators, page 66.

Standard-Speaker (Hazleton, Pennsylvania) Wednesday, September 24, 2014, page A2.

Joseph E Gurzenda (1937-2014) - Find a Grave Memorial