Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home

CAMDEN - Zdenek Jurik, 66, loving father and grandfather passed away unexpectedly in his home Friday, January 27, 2017.

Zdenek was very loving and proud of his children and their spouses, Iveta Holden and her husband Dan, Lukas Valach and his partner Kathy, Hana Thurston and her husband Jason and Zdenek Jurik and his wife Irina as well as all seven of his grandchildren. He is also survived by his partner Rita West; sister Jarmila Volena and her husband Frank, and all of his extended family, relatives and friends.

He will always be remembered by his family and friends as a devoted and caring person that always put others before himself. He was an incredibly strong person and filled with a unique charisma and could light up an entire room with his presence. Anyone that got to know Zdenek knew that he was a very deep and spiritual being. Even though it is difficult to pinpoint exactly what it was, there was a sense of mystique, deeper glow and positive energy to his character that people found intriguing.

He was born and grew up in former Czechoslovakia. In his younger years, he was active in wrestling, volleyball, yoga, and even ski jumping. He was also an artist, bee keeper, member of a rock band and even built his own guitars from scratch.

In 1986 he and his family courageously escaped the communist regime and immigrated to the United States. He settled with his family in Maine near his sister that immigrated before him. Despite his limited English at the time, he quickly built a career in architecture and later as a Professional Civil Engineer. He later founded his business, ABC Engineering. Several of his structural designs are visible both locally and around the world.

Zdenek had a passion for world traveling and constantly introduced new destinations to his family. Outside of spending time in the Czech Republic on his vacations, he very much enjoyed organizing trips with his family to the Austrian Alps and to Italy which were among his favorite destinations.

Anyone that knew Zdenek could see that he was a jack of all trades, and a true Renaissance Man. He didn’t believe in obstacles only solutions on how to get around them. Whenever someone came to him with a problem he provided solutions and was willing to do anything to help people near and far. He was a beer and wine enthusiast, even bottling some of his own, and a bee keeper known locally for his honey. He was also a lover of fruit, so much so that he even started growing citrus and other tropical fruits – in his home in Maine.

He also enjoyed sailing on his sailboat, “Domov”, out of Rockland harbor and enjoyed spending time at sea, sailing to different islands and catching and eating seafood right off of his boat with family and friends.
After being widowed in 1994, he raised his children as a single father, working several jobs at times, doing whatever possible to make sure they had the best childhood. He succeeded in being a model father and continued to remain immensely supportive throughout their adult lives up until the day of his passing. He taught himself to be an excellent cook and was constantly cooking family dinners and loved bringing together his family and friends.

One of his biggest joys in life was always bringing joy to others and making people laugh. He was known for surprising family and friends by visiting them unannounced – even when they lived half way across the world. He brought much happiness to the people he was around. He was wise beyond his years and people often turned to him for advice. He was always there for everyone that needed his help in good times and bad.

He will also be missed by many animal companions. Even though he tried to play the tough guy, he was without a doubt an animal lover. He was a favorite among the pets in his family, often sneaking them food under the table and being known as the “animal whisperer” among family and friends.

Zdenek has touched the hearts of many. He will be immensely missed and always remembered. He was a great father, grandfather and an excellent man.

The family will receive friends at the Celebration of Zdenek’s Life on Monday, February 6, 2017 from 6:00-8:00PM at Point Lookout - The Summit - in Northport, Maine. This will be an opportunity for friends and family to share their memories and stories of him.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in his honor to a local animal shelter.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland
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“Cas nam bere vse jen vzpominky zustavaji” - As written by Zdenek in a correspondence with his closest childhood friend Valcav Kocka, December 2012