John P. Gemski

John Peter Gemski, 83, of Cumberland, passed away peacefully on July 18, 2019 in Hope Hospice and Palliative Care Center in Providence. John was married to Eleanor (Mihovan) Gemski for 53 years. He was born in Woonsocket and was the son of the late Peter and Anna (Lanowy) Gemski. He graduated from Woonsocket High School in 1953 and attended South Carolina University.

John served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1955. He worked for Verizon Telephone Company for 30 years, prior to his retirement in 1997. He was an active member of St. Michaels Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Woonsocket serving as an officer and as president for many years. He was also a member of the Bandura Male Chorus. John was an avid golfer, enjoyed coaching as well as playing football and hockey in his younger years.

In addition to his wife Eleanor he is survived by their three children: Candice Gemski, her husband Daniel McAvoy and their daughter Sophia McAvoy of Medfield, MA; Derek Gemski, his wife Jennifer, and their children Derek, Amanda and Joseph Gemski of Medfield, MA; and Elizabeth Gemski, her husband Philip Cordeiro and their daughter Ella Cordeiro of Farmington, CT. John was predeceased by his brother Raymond Gemski and his sister Karen Bouchard. He was devoted to his family and was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to extended family and friends who have supported them during Johns extended illness. The family would also like to express their gratitude to the staff and volunteers of the Hope Health Hospice organization.

His funeral will be held Tuesday July 23, 2019 beginning with visitation at 10 AM in St. Michaels Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 74 Harris Ave. Woonsocket, with Mass to start at 11 AM. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery, Blackstone, MA. Calling hours are Monday from 5:30 8:30 PM, with a brief service taking place at 7 PM, in the Holt Funeral Home, 510 South Main St. Woonsocket. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Michaels Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 74 Harris Avenue, Woonsocket, RI 02895, in memory of John Gemski.

Visitation
Mon, Jul 22, 2019 at 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Interment following funeral se
Tue, Jul 23, 2019 at 12:00 amSt. Charles Cemetery

Farm Street
Blackstone, MA 01504

St. Charles Cemetery

Viewing
Tue, Jul 23, 2019 at 10:00 am - 11:00 amSt. Michael's Ukrainian Orthodox Church

74 Harris Ave.
Woonsocket, RI 02895

St. Michael's Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Funeral Mass
Tue, Jul 23, 2019 at 11:00 amSt. Michael's Ukrainian Orthodox Church

74 Harris Ave.
Woonsocket, RI 02895

St. Michael's Ukrainian Orthodox Church

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