Albert “Al” Clifford Gutekenst of Front Royal, VA passed away on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at his home surrounded by his family.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at 11 AM at St. Jude Catholic Church, 1937 Davis Highway, Mineral, Virginia with Father Michael Duffy officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
Mr. Gutekenst was born on February 17, 1946 in Hartford, Connecticut to the late James and Zona Smith Gutekenst. He was currently a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Front Royal and previously a member of St. Jude Catholic Church in Louisa, Virginia. He was a third-degree Knight of Columbus, a founding member of Newington Volunteer Ambulance, a lifetime member of Mineral Rescue Squad, associate member of Mineral Fire Department, a veteran of the United States Navy serving as a Seabee and a retiree from the Metropolitan District Commission.
Survivors include his wife of over 34 years, Marilyn Gutekenst of Front Royal; son, James Walter Gutekenst of Louisa; two daughters, Heidi Gail Gutekenst of Belchertown, Massachusetts and Rose Marie Gutekenst Harvey (Stephen) of Front Royal; brother Patrick Gutekenst of Louisa and two grandchildren, Genevieve Zona Harvey and Oliver Everett Harvey both of Front Royal.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Loaves and Fishes Catholic Food Pantry Charities, 613 N Royal Ave, Front Royal, VA 22630.
So sorry for your loss
Marilyn and family,
We extend our deepest sympathies to all of you on the loss of Al. We know how much the family cared for Al and he for all of you. Al was a consistent volunteer for the church, and when his health permitted, brought spirit and vigor to all that he did. This volunteerism was extended to our church community and the greater community in which he lived. We pray the God, Al so reverently followed, will fill the void that is left in his passing. God bless you.
Al was always the first to volunteer for any duty. He took good care of the Mineral Rescue Squad, always going above and beyond. There was not a community event that occurred that Al was there volunteering, getting ice, selling sodas, driving the injured and sick to the hospital, organizing, doing errands, cleaning up. He was an amazingly consistent person we could all count on to be there. My heart breaks for your heart break and I know there is nothing but time that will help. Just know we are thinking of you with warmth and kindness.