Grand Rapids — Father Thomas Joseph Gorman III died peacefully on Sunday, November 12, 2023 at Hospice of Northwest, Ohio. He was 90 years old.
Father Tom was preceded in death by his father Thomas Joseph Gorman II and his mother Rita Elizabeth (Johanna) Finn Gorman.
He is survived by his siblings: sister, Mercy Sister Breta Gorman; brother, James (Janice); sister, Julia Zeigler (Ronald); and by one nephew and four nieces and many grand nieces and nephews.
Father Gorman was ordained May 30, 1959, and celebrated his first Mass at his home parish of Saint Rose, Lima Ohio. He served in multiple ministries in the diocese of Toledo including twice at St. John-Delphos, St. Patrick Historic in Toledo, St. Aloysius in Bowling Green, Ohio, St. Ann in Fremont, Ohio, and St. Mary in Bluffton, Ohio. He also served at Central Catholic High School in Toledo, and St. Wendelin’s High School in Fostoria, Ohio.
Father Gorman was president of the priest’s council at the same time his sister, Mercy Sister Breta Gorman was president of the Sister’s council…a fact their mother enjoyed richly.
Another memory is that wherever he went, Father carried his famous fireballs and the children always asked for and remembered them. He will be missed by his faithful walking companion, Boomer.
Funeral Mass will be at St. Rose Catholic Church, Lima, OH, at 11:00 a.m. on November 16, 2023. Burial will follow in Gethsemani Cemetery. Memorial viewing will be held an hour before Mass at the church.
