An Appreciation: Myron ‘Mike’ Gural

September 1, 2017

Compiled by The Bedford Citizen

A Memorial Service celebrating Myron “Mike” Gural’s life will be held at First Church of Christ, Congregational, Bedford on Saturday, September 9 at 2 pm.

One of the very few vigils in which the Gurals did not participate personally, but where Mike’s signs were prominently displayed – Image (c) JMcCT, 2015 all rights reserved

Mike was a familiar presence to anyone interested in social justice issues in Bedford, and was a faithful participant in the monthly peace vigils along The Great Road, in front of Bedford Common.No matter the weather, Mike and his wife Ruth were regular participants at the peace vigils, according to the vigils’ organizers.

“I can still see Mike, enthusiastically dragging out from their car all the posters and signs that he and Ruth had hand-made for these events,” recalled Don Marshall. “They did not run out of ideas for signs but there was not always room enough for all of them.”

Lois Pulliam added, “The two Gurals, two Pulliams, Don and Barbara Marshall, Nancy Asbedian, and others exchanged news and greetings as we set up and took down our posters and signs. As the Afghanistan War moved to Iraq, our messages sometimes altered a bit, but the main message was ‘Peace, not war’. Drivers honked in agreement or gave us a “thumbs down”, but Mike stood by our placards and our determination to try in our small way to end the war. That’s not a bad way to be remembered, and we’ll never forget him!

Gural served in many positions at Bedford’s First Church of Christ, Congregational according to Nancy Asbedian, “but his strength was as youth group leader and mentor to the next generation. He and his love Ruth organized the CROP Walk for the church, and for many years walked themselves. They attended Metropolitan Area Planning Council meetings, working to help protect the environment and provide affordable housing.

“With a keen interest in politics, Mike often had to be pushed to express his own opinion, but he had no problem teasing others into stating theirs,” Asbedian continued. “Mike loved “Oldies” music and old movies. He had a library of resources to pull out for any given situation and often showed segments of “Sister Act” with Whoopi Goldberg which combines both humor and faith…leaving us laughing and thinking.

“But most of all he was a great friend, the kind anyone would want to have.He was there.  He was everywhere. I will miss him.  His passing is a loss to anyone who knew him.Mike Gural was the kind of human being that made you hopeful for the future,” Asbedian concluded.

Editor’s Note: If volunteers can donate 2 or 3 dozen cookies, bars, brownies or quick bread slices for the reception, please click https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0e49aaab22a6f49-bakers3 to sign up. Volunteers are also needed to plate the food before the service and clean up afterward. If you can help, please click https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0e49aaab22a6f49-volunteers. You may also call the Church Office at 781-275-7951.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Get The Bedford Citizen in your inbox!



Subscribe
Notify of

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

All Stories

What’s Bedford Thinking about the Red Sox?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...
  • Junior Landscaping
Go toTop