Adam Constantine Gureckis Jr., well-known Nashua native, passed away Saturday, February 19, 2022, at the age of 70, after fighting cancer for over 15 years. Adam never gave up and was a true warrior in his fight against cancer. He “beat” cancer several times but suddenly God had different plans for him – maybe He just needed someone like Adam in Heaven!
Adam was born in Nashua on September 16, 1951, to the late Adam C. Gureckis Sr. and Evelyn (Shanahan) Gureckis. As a young child in the early 1950’s, Adam had a foot and leg disorder, and his doctors were not sure if he would run, jump, or walk properly. As a result, he was fitted for leg braces, which he wore for several years. His father worked on his legs every day and drove him to Boston for treatment as he was determined that his son would be able to run, jump and walk, not knowing he would one day become one of the greatest athletes in the State of New Hampshire. One of eight children, Adam was raised in a family that knew what family really meant and he carried that forward throughout his life. He was educated in local schools and graduated in the Nashua High School Class of 1971. Adam was an integral part of the 50th Class Reunion held this past October.
Adam had an accomplished high school career in both baseball and basketball and set many records during his high school basketball career (1968-1971). He was also one of the outstanding baseball pitchers in the State of New Hampshire. Some of the highlights of his high school career were: All-time scoring leader in Nashua High basketball history with over 1,700 points in his 4-year high school career; set a tournament scoring record in 1969; named the 1971 Nashua High Athlete of the Year for his accomplishments in basketball and baseball; named to the all-tournament team year after year; cited by Letterman Magazine as one of the outstanding schoolboy prospects in the country in 1971; and he was inducted into the Nashua Athletics Hall of Fame in 1992. Adam was given the name “Able Adam” by his many fans. Adam also went on to play basketball at Nathaniel Hawthorne College in Antrim.
Dean Shalhoup, Telegraph sportswriter, said of Adam, “But back in the day Nashua had an answer for Flanagan: The pure, perfect-spin right-hand jump shot of a youngster named Adam Gureckis.” “Give Gureckis even a little daylight and he’d burn you. Safe to say that had the 3-point shot been around then, Gureckis, who played some as an eighth grader, more as a freshman and then started for three years, could very well hold the NHIAA record for career high school points.” Telegraph sports editor Greg Andruskevich said of Adam, “Gureckis often launched ‘from way downtown,’ borrowing a phrase coined by the late great Johnny Most. “Many of his bombs came from the top of the key and plenty from the right and left of the key.” Panther Captain Lou Richard chalked up the success of the 1969 Class L State Championship match with Manchester Memorial High School to “a few factors: A very motivating coach, a humble star, and a decent supporting cast. In my opinion we only had one star on the team, and that was Gureckis. He was our go to guy … he could shoot the lights out in any gym. He was ‘Mr. Clutch’ for sure.” Legendary basketball coach Tony Marandos once called Adam a “scorer supreme.” (See Dean Shalhoup’s “From no-chance to champs” – March 17, 2019).
Adam’s long successful career in sales led him to start his own successful business, AG Landscaping, where his sons have worked alongside him for many years. Adam and his boys took care of the lawns and grounds of hundreds of Nashua and surrounding area residents and businesses, decorated downtown Nashua with wreaths and holiday decorations, and delivered Christmas trees to their doors year after year.
Adam worked tirelessly for several Nashua nonprofits year after year, giving his all for their success. The non-profit closest to his heart, the Jenny Fund, was formed after the death of his niece, Jen Gureckis, to bring awareness to brain cancer and raise monies for brain cancer research at Massachusetts General Hospital. Jen and Adam shared a connection – fighting cancer – and his tireless efforts have made the Jenny Fund the success it is today. As a member of the well-known Club National in Nashua, Adam was involved for years in the club’s fundraising efforts. Adam was also involved with the Friends of Nashua High Athletics which supported Nashua High School sports programs. He was also a Nashua Ward 7 Selectman. Adam has always given back to his community that he loved so much.
Adam married Beverly J. Hanson on October 18, 1975 and they shared over 46 years of marriage. Their sons, Craig and Aaron, were also exceptional athletes at Nashua High School, and you could always see Adam on the field, or in the gym, following their careers. Adam also followed them in their college baseball careers and loved traveling to Florida to see them play. He was always so proud of them.
In his spare time, Adam loved playing golf, traveling to Amish County in PA for business and leisure, where he would handpick hanging plants and nursery items for his clients. He looked forward to more vacations and cruises with family and friends.
Adam was known by everyone wherever he went throughout New Hampshire and beyond. His warm personality, and the smile always on his face, made him a well-liked and respected man. Some words that have been said about him this week are: a true Nashua legend; a Nashua icon; always a gentleman; incredible athlete and even better person; a torch bearer that young athletes strived to be like; was looked up to and cherished; a great athlete who entertained us – a good friend, always there to help – and a devoted family man; Nashua is deeply honored to have you as one of their own and his legacy will live on; positive energy no matter what was going on with himself; and one of the toughest cancer fighters I’ve ever known.
Adam touched many lives and made an impact on everyone. If there is one person that changed the world, it was Adam C. Gureckis Jr., and this world is a better place because of him.
Members of his family include his wife, Beverly J. (Hanson) Gureckis; his sons, Craig Gureckis and Aaron Gureckis; his daughters-in-law, Amie Gureckis and Jennifer Gureckis; and his three grandchildren, Gabriella, Griffin, and Avery Gureckis. Adam is also survived by seven siblings and their spouses – his brother John and Sandi Gureckis; and sisters, Connie and Dennis McCullion, Linda and Jack Cunliffe, Judy and Jim Farrar, Pat and Jim Clark, Pam and Jim Ford, and Debra Gureckis. Adam is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Shawn McCullion, Kim Laurendi, Lisa Flanagan, John Cunliffe, Mike Farrar, Kristen Lafave, Ashley Clark, Jeff Clark, Heather Mucci, John Gureckis, Greg Ford, and Amy Bouley who all adored him. He is also survived by his special aunt and uncle Esther (Cookie) and Paul Gerstner and an aunt Agnes Gureckis. He also leaves numerous cousins.
In addition to his parents, Adam was predeceased by twin grandsons at birth, Adam and David Gureckis, and a special niece, Jennifer Gureckis.
Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Monday, February 28th from 4 to 8 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Patrick’s Church, 29 Spring Street, Nashua on Tuesday, March 1st at 1:30 pm. All are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Adam’s memory to the gofundme account set up in his honor to support his family with the expenses of his illness. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com. Arrangements are in the care of Farwell Funeral Service in Nashua.
