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