William V. Gorman

William V. Gorman, 88, of Highland Drive, Bedford, died Monday, May 5, 2014 at Bedford Colonial Courtyard. He was born on August 29, 1925, in Indiana, a son of the late John J. and Mary E. (Reed) Gorman. On August 19, 1950, in Indiana, he married Jane (Whetstone) Gorman who survives along with the following family: Gregory L. Gorman, of Hamburg, N.J, daughter, Martha Gorman Helsel  of Everett, daughter, Mary E. Gorman, and domestic partner, Marti Kashuba, of San Francisco, CA, daughter, Shelia C. wife of Michael Mendicino Jr., of Leechburg, son, Joseph M. Gorman, married to the former Patti Williams, of Bloomfield, NJ, and son, James B. Gorman, of Altoona; eight grandchildren: Breena Gorman, Kelly Gorman, Jamie Gorman, Mary Jane wife of Tom Salmon, Connie wife of Clay Clark, Tina and fiancée Patrick Roberto, Anthony Mendicino, and, Joseph Mendicino married to the former Erin Fields; three great-grandchildren: Dylan Masters, Addison and Thaddeus Clark; and a very special niece who he shared all birthdays with, Sally Bence, of Indiana.  He was preceded in death by three sisters, Cecila Gorman, Bertha Layer, and Anna Teller; three brothers, Joseph, John, and Alton Gorman; and a daughter-in-law, Virginia Clark.

He graduated from St. Bernard School in 1939 and Indiana High School in 1943.  He entered the Navy for basic training in December of 1943 at Great Lakes IL.  He attended radio school at Auburn, AL and was assigned to the Aircraft Carrier USS Saratoga where he served from August 1944 until discharged in April 1946 in the Asiatic-Pacific Area.  He was awarded the Pacific Theatre Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon and Victory Medal.  He graduated from ISTC now IUP with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education and while there he inducted to the Honorary Fraternity Gamma Rho Tau, and was member of the social fraternity Phi Alpha Zeta, he was also on Indiana’s first soccer team.  In 1949 he became the business teacher and basketball coach at Marionville, PA.  He then went on to work for various business:  Knights Life Insurance, Bankers Life Insurance, Moreau and Sons Construction, Indiana First Federal Bank, Ernest Fowler Plumbing, Graff’s Meat Market and as a public accountant. He went onto to teach Business at Greensburg Business College, and then retired in 1987 from Bedford High School as a Business Teacher after 25 years.  Mr. Gorman enjoyed his gift of teaching, dancing with his wife, and swimming, teaching lessons to children and seniors.  He was a big sports fan and enjoyed watching Penn State, Notre Dame, Steelers, and the Pirates.  He served as treasurer of Bedford County Children and Youth Board, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #1439, Bedford VFW Post # 7527, and P.A.S.R.  He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2014, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Thomas Catholic Church, with Father Donald Dusza, Celebrant.  Burial at Everett Cemetery, with full military rites conducted by the Fort Bedford Honor Guard.  Friends will be received on Wednesday, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., at the Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home, in Bedford.  Our online guest book is available at www.berkebilefuneralhome.com.