Roger Walter Yurkevicz, 88, of West Simsbury, CT, husband of the late Isabella C. (Kurpaska) Yurkevicz, died Saturday, May 19, 2018 at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, MA. He was born March 23, 1930 in Sunderland, MA, son of the late Michael and Anna (Shatynski) Yurkevicz and had lived in Ludlow, MA prior to moving to West Simsbury 56 years ago. Roger served honorably in the US Army in the Korean War, earning a Bronze Star. Roger graduated from American International College in Springfield, MA and also received a Master’s Degree from the University of Connecticut School of Social Work. Mr. Yurkevicz was a social worker for the City of Hartford for many years prior to his retirement, establishing and managing first ever services for the elderly. He was a member of St. Catherine of Siena Church in West Simsbury and enjoyed gardening, painting, building stone walls and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

He is survived by his son, Gerry Yurkevicz and his wife Silvia of Lexington, MA; his granddaughters, Liz Di Maria and her husband Paul of Medford, MA, Margaret Yurkevicz of South Boston, MA, and Amy Kate Yurkevicz of Lexington, MA; as well as his grandniece, Annali Yurkevicz of Sunderland, MA. Roger is also survived and preceded by his brothers and sisters: the late Jennie (Yurkevicz) Michalak and her late husband Walter Michalak; the late Roman Yurkevicz and his late wife Elizabeth (Butynski); the late Louis Yurkevicz and his late wife Marjorie (Files); Stephania (Yurkevicz) Bai and her late husband Chester Bai; and Rudy Yurkevicz and his wife Stacia Yurkevicz.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 24th from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury. The Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, May 25th, 11 AM at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 265 Stratton Brook Road in West Simsbury. Burial with military honors will follow in the Simsbury Cemetery. Memorial donations in Roger’s name may be made to Gifts of Love/Community Farm of Simsbury, 34 E. Main Street, Avon, CT. Please visit Roger’s “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online condolences.