Another interesting day. I went to the viewing and funeral for Joe O'Gorman. Joe was an amazing person. Let me try to recap as much as I know about him.
Joe was born in 1920 (!) in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Lawrence was once the textile capital of the world ( at least of the US). Workers came to Lawrence to work in one of the many many mills. They came from French Canada, European Countries, and especially Ireland. The Irish suffered much discrimination...... job opportunities would say: INNA (Irish Need Not Apply).
Joe went to the local high school where he joined the ROTC (Reserved Officers Training Corps). After he graduated, he went to work in some important industry (probably making clothing for soldiers... since it looked like war would break out soon.)
He did sign up for the Army in 1937 (17 years old) but they didn't keep him long because he was needed in his special industry work. Meanwhile he and his high school sweetheart planned a marriage. He was called back into the Army when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor (1941). Before he got his first assignment, he and his girl friend got married.
Joe went to OCS (Officers Candidate School) and became a 2nd Lieutenant. He served at several stateside army bases and in 1945 he was sent to the Phillipines as a Captain to help prepare an invasion of Japan. However, events changed his job... namely, the Japanese surrendered.
After Joe was discharged, he used the GI Bill to get an education as an Engineer. Meanwhile, he and his wife raised a big family. He worked all over the country as an Engineer. I think that he worked and retired from a large number of companies.
His wife died a few years ago, and 2 years ago his daughter helped him come to live at Carroll Lutheran Village. (CLV). where he could relax and "play" for the rest of his long life.
Elaine and I met him at the Geneaology Club at CLV. He recognized my Massachusetts accent right away. We also went on two food "adventures" at CLV. He was always with the lady he was very friendly with... Dorothy. She has to use a scooter, and Joe helped her get around. They made a very nice couple. At one function, Joe used his Irish trickery to get me to spring for their drinks. I didn't mind at all.
Joe was a swimmer, and used the CLV pool every day, making new friends all the time.
On Christmas Eve, Pastor Jimmie Schwartz was surprised to see Joe standing in the back of Krug Chapel. (Joe was apparently not a very religious guy.) He offered Joe communion and was surprised when Joe acquiesced. Afterwards, Joe went home and suffered a stroke. Four days later he passed away.
In Joe's honor, I want to show the words to Danny Boy... an Irish song which is guaranteed to bring tears to youor eyes:
Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side.
The summer's gone, and all the flowers are dying
'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
'Tis I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.
OK... why did I write this "obituary" for Joe O'Gorman. Well, I really liked the guy and I wanted to get something written about him, so that I could refer to it in the future and remember what a nice guy he was.
RIP Joe!
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