WOOSTER – Deacon William J. Gorman, 93, of Wooster, died January 28, 2019, at Lifecare Hospice following a period of declining health. He left this earth with deep faith and the anticipation of joining his beloved wife, Catherine, in the Kingdom of God.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, February 1, at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church in Wooster, with the Rev. Stephen Moran officiating. Calling hours will be at the church prior to the Mass, between 9:30 and 11:00 a.m.
Bill was born November 3, 1925, in Gloucester City, New Jersey, as the third of six children to John and Viola H. Gorman. All of his siblings, John, Charles, Katherine, Joseph, and Robert, predeceased him.
He was raised in a loving Catholic family during the Depression and graduated in 1943 from Gloucester Catholic High School. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a medic in the 285th Engineering Battalion in the European Theater of Operations. He also served in the Army of the Occupation after the war in Europe ended and was honorably discharged in 1946.
The GI Bill gave Bill the opportunity to be the first in his family to go to college. He graduated from St. Joseph s University in Philadelphia in 1950, majoring in Philosophy and English. Soon thereafter he started work with Owens-Illinois, Inc. He worked at O-I until he retired as plant manager of the Berlin, Ohio, manufacturing facility in 1986. He had previously worked for O-I in Glassboro, New Jersey, and St. Charles, Illinois.
In 1955 Bill met the love of his life, Catherine Hartman of Camden, New Jersey. They married the following year and had 58 years of wedded bliss until Catherine s death on February 23, 2014. Bill and Catherine raised four children, Mary Anne (Don) Cunningham of Elyria, Tom of Bowling Green, Bob (Kathy) of Wooster, and Pat (Denise) of Madison, Wisconsin. Bill baptized each of his ten grandchildren Cassie and Susie Cunningham; Ben, Anna (Nick) Allard and Sam Gorman; Joseph, Mary Grace and John Gorman; and Katie and Sarah Gorman.
Through his life Bill had a commitment to his family, community and church. He served for numerous nonprofit organizations, including the American Red Cross, the Millersburg Rotary Club, the Wayne-Holmes Mental Health Center, the Holmes County Public Library Board and the Holmes County Education Association. Partnering with Catherine, he taught confirmation and other classes for St. Peter Catholic Church in Millersburg for many years.
In 1985, Bill was ordained a deacon in the Roman Catholic Church. Thereafter, Bill spent more than 20 years in service to the church and its members, with a special focus on visiting persons confined to their homes, nursing homes or assisted living facilities. He also performed weddings, baptisms and preached homilies.
Bill spent the past five years at Wayne Manor Assisted Living Center. Fellow residents and staff became his second family. He will be missed by the many friends residents and dedicated workers that he met there.
If you knew Bill, you knew he was a special person who always saw the bright side, maintained a great faith and strong personal integrity, and cared deeply for others. He also was a fine poet and storyteller, continuing to find appreciative audiences until his death.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lifecare Hospice, 1900 Akron Road, Wooster, or to Dominican Sisters of Hope, 299 N. Highland Ave., Ossining, NY 10562.
The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thanks to the staff of Wayne Manor who took loving care of Bill, as well as everyone at Lifecare Hospice who helped him spend his final days in comfort and good humor.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com.
Memorial Contributions
Memorial contributions may be made to Lifecare Hospice, 1900 Akron Road, Wooster, or to Dominican Sisters of Hope, 299 N. Highland Ave., Ossining, NY 10562.
Service
Mass of Christian Burial, Friday, February 1, 2019 at St. Mary Catholic Church
Visitation
Friday, February 1, 2019 from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 527 Beall Ave., Wooster
Bob & Kathy, I am so sorry for your loss. You knew it was coming but, that doesn’t make the parting any easier. May your father rest in peace in God’s grace with your mother and the love of his life, Catherine. With deepest condolences, Dee
I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. I have fond memories of him and your mom. I’m sure he will be welcomed with open arms after dedicating his last years to the service of others.
My sympathy and prayers for your family. It was an honor working under your Dad’s leadership at the Berlin O-I plant. He was highly respected and a man of integrity. He truly cared about each employee and knew them by name. He left many friends and even more good memories.
When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. Thinking of you at this time of loss, Maria
Bill was my mentor. He seen the good in all people, which brought out the best in people. All the nice things in his obituary
are the person I also knew and loved. We had so many conversations, but the one that stands out is the Monday debriefings
after his weekend in Columbus during his study to become a deacon. Be proud of your dad, which I know you do.
My love to all of you. Lyman
So sorry to hear about Bill. He was a wonderful human being in every way. Unfortunately we
won’t be able to make the service. We will be thinking and praying for the family. We will always remember his faithful service at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Millersburg.
My condolences to all as Bill was a very special man. I did not have the chance to work for/with Bill as I didn’t start until 1998 for OI at Berlin. However,I have the true honor and responsibility as the present Plant Manager that Bill led as the pioneer and what he built at this facility. I am truly blessed to be part of his legacy of how he inspired so many in his words, but more importantly, his actions. Bill’s integrity, values and love for the people, who he placed always first, is still prevalent 50 years later. I sincerely enjoyed the retirement lunches that I had the honor to attend and speak at, but enjoyed more, Bill’s insights, reflections and “jokes” at the lunch. What a great leader and person as he will be sincerely missed.
Pat, Denise, Sarah and Katie, On behalf of myself, the Board of Diocesan Choir, and its members, we offer our sincere condolences to you and your family. Your Father sounded like a remarkable man whose life journey left a legacy for young and old in many parts of this country and beyond. He was a true inspiration. May the Lord’s blessings be with you and your family.
Uncle Bill will be remembered in my heart as a loving Uncle and Godfather with that famous Gorman wit. Condolences to the Ohio Gormans and all who loved this wonderful man.
Bob and family – We are saddened to hear the passing of your father. Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
-OEC
Pat, Denise, Katie, and Sarah, Judy and I want to express our condolences for your loss. Pat, your dad must have been a wonderful man with a kind and loving heart. He obviously passed on those traits to you. May he rest in peace.
I’m so sorry for your loss and rejoice with you that your folks are back together.
Our thoughts and prayers to all the family. Remembering his time at St Peter’s and teaching our daughters CCD Such a great person. Our deepest sympathy.
Sending love and prayers to Bill’s family. I feel so blessed to have known him. He was an amazing man; kind, witty, intelligent. He and Catherine had a huge impact on my life. I really got to know them at St. Peter’s when we were on Parish council and various committees together. I remember spending hours talking and laughing, especially on the “Married Couples Commitee”. They were both so wise and encouraging. When it was time for my daughter, Kim, to be married, she only wanted Bill to marry her. Now he’s another angel. I often feel Catherine’s presence and now Bill’s. I had planned to attend the funeral but the roads are really bad. I’ll be with all of you in spirit.
I look back at all the fond memories down the shore in Avalon with Uncle Bill and Aunt Cass.. the good times and laughter we shared where priceless. My thoughts are with you all on this day to celebrate Uncle Bill’s life. So long my dear friend until we meet again
Pat and Denise, and to all of your family, Steve and I are so sorry to hear of the passing of your dad. Please know that we are holding all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
We are grateful to him for the amazing gift of you. Your family is very special to us. May he rest in peace.