SHELTON — For the second time in two weeks, the Shelton High School community is mourning one of its own.

Tom Gersz, who was one of the school's three housemasters, died suddenly Sunday of an apparent heart attack. He was 44.

"It is such a shock," said Board of Education member Arlene Liscinsky.

Gersz, who was the father of several young children, was a Wallingford resident. He taught at the high school before becoming a headmaster several years ago.

"He was so young and had young kids — this is a real tragedy," Liscinsky said.

Gersz's death comes on the heels of that of Ed Marocco, a social studies teacher and coach of the school's baseball team. He died April 24 at age 58 after having undergone emergency heart surgery.

As when Marocco died, grief counselors were available to students and staff Monday at the high school. Gresz was the House I housemaster.

"This is such a loss for the school system and the kids," Liscinsky said. "He was someone who truly enjoyed doing what he did every day."

Gersz's wake will be held Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 North Main St., Wallingford. His funeral Mass will take place Thursday at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 382 Hope Hill Road in Wallingford.

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