Jack Gorr
His funeral was held at 9:30 a.m. , on April 4th at St. Bernard Cemetary in Rockville, Connecticut. The Fifes & Drums, Color Guard, & Knowlton's Rangers rendered honors entering the grounds in the "missing-man" formation, while playing "Nearer My God to Thee". Jack's draped drum and tri-cornered hat were brought forward and the assembled units performed a mourning muskets ceremony consisting of three volleys of musket-fire, and the playing of "Rosalyn Castle." The combined units then left the grounds with the playing of "Annie Laurie".
We were most fortunate to have had Jack in our midst over the past year. Although he joined just a short year ago, his boundless enthusiasm and energy seemed to just spread to everything he put his hand to!
If one reads his obituary (reproduced below)in the April 3, 1998 Hartford Courant, it is obvious he brought that same enthusiasm and energy to ALL of his activities....
He will be sorely missed by family, friends, and all who knew him.
On March 31, 1998, The Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes & Drums lost a snare drummer, and friend, Jack Gorr. Jack collapsed at the beginning of the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New Haven on March 15th. He died of complications following his heart attack, never having regained consciousness.
Hartford Courant Obituary
April 3, 1998
GORR, Jack
Jack Gorr, 61, of Vernon, who collapsed March 15, 1998 while marching in a New Haven St. Patrick's Day parade, died (March 31, 1998) of complications following a heart attack while in residence at the Mansfield Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation. He is survived by his wife, Barbara A. Gorr of Vernon; his mother, Carmel ''Cal'' Gilbert of Meriden; a sister, Shirley Gorr of Voluntown. Jack also leaves three children, Cynthia L. Delacey of Charlton, MA., Jack L. Gorr Jr. of Vernon, and Jill A. Douthwright of Auburn, MA; a step-daughter, Kristen A. Chappelle of Laurel, MD. He was pre- deceased by his son, Jeffrey, who died in 1987. Jack was grandfather to Jessica, Mark, and Victoria Delacey, Rachael and Ashley Gorr, and ''Pop- Pop Jack'' to Julian Sheppy. Jack was born and educated in Meriden. He graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1958, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity; he went on to receive advanced degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He also served in the Army from 1958-1965. Jack was employed for 31 years by Pratt & Whitney, serving in many departments including Engineering Tests, Logistics and Planning, and from 1984 to his retirement in 1993, as a Customer Support Manager for the International Aero Engines V-2500 project. IAE is a joint collaboration project between multinational companies, including Pratt & Whitney. At the time of his illness, Jack had returned to IAE as a consultant for the Customer Support Division. During his work career he was sent to many countries including Africa, Israel, France, and England where he made many lifelong friendships. Jack was well known in Vernon because of his many community and civic activities. He supported his children and community through participation in the Rockville Little League, Little Miss Softball, girls and boys basketball leagues, Vernon Youth Soccer and mens basketball and softball leagues. He was a president of the Lake St. School PTO, and a co-president of the Sykes School PTO. Jack was a member of the Vernon Recreation Commission, the Vernon Democratic Town Committee, and most recently a member of the Water Pollution Control Authority. Jack's political pursuits included serving on the Vernon Board of Education (1993), where he was Assistant Treasurer as well as an active participant in several committees. He was a delegate to the State Convention for Toby Moffett in 1986 and worked on the campaigns for Joseph Courtney for State Representative and Ellen Marmer for Mayor. Jack's friends and family knew him as an avid gardener and an enthusiastic cook, eager to share the bounty of both pursuits. Most recently, he was a proud participant in the activities of the Nathan Hale Ancient Fife and Drum Corps of Coventry, a goal which he had actively pursued for the past year. Jack will be sorely missed by family and friends, especially for the boundless energy and enthusiasm he brought to all that life brought to him. Family and friends may call at the Burke-Fortin Funeral Home, 76 Prospect St., Rockville, on Friday, 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Graveside funeral services will be Saturday, 9:30 a.m., in St. Bernard Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Rockville Little League, c/o 5 Laurel St., Rockville, 06066 or to the American Heart Assoc., 5 Brookside Dr., Wallingford, 06492.
End Hartford Courant Obituary
Page Created and Maintained by Bob Castillo
Midi file, "Amazing Grace", sequenced by Barry Taylor.
Midi file, "Amazing Grace", sequenced by Barry Taylor.