Obituary for William A. "Bill" Gorka
William M. Gorka "Bill", was called home to our Lord on November 30th, 2022, at Brooks Memorial Hospital. He was born in Dunkirk, NY on January 12, 1934 to the late Theodore and Gertrude (Feinen) Gorka. Theodore passed away at a young age and Gertrude later remarried Lowell Reed, who became the cherished "second father" to Bill.
Bill worked for nearly 40 years at the Steel Plant in Dunkirk. He also worked on the farm and at the garage for Stewart Dudley. He was a very devoted member of St. Joseph's Church in Fredonia where he wore many hats. He served as an usher, a Eucharistic minister, and was always ready to lend a hand when repairs, etc., needed tending to. He recently received the St. Joseph Workers Award of which he was so very proud. He was an active bingo worker for many years, where he made so many friends. He was a 3rd Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus and was a member of the Moose Club.
Bill married the love of his life, Barbara (Prince) and they shared 72 years of a loving marriage. They raised five wonderful children; Vickie (late James) Fisher, Robert (Karen) Gorka, Debra Gorka, Michael Gorka, and Kimberly (late John) Franklin. A lifetime of love and caring centered around the children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, two great-great-granddaughters. The grandchildren are: Scott (Kimberly) Fisher, Rebecca (Larry) Luba, Heather (Ralph) Stronner, Rob (Lisa) Gorka, Matthew (Stacey) Gorka, Michael Gorka, Nichole (Will) Haas, and Amy (Marc) Snyder. The great-grandchildren are: Taylor (Ricky) Hoglund, Megan and Peyton Fisher, Mia and Aiden Gorka, Danielle and Molly Gorka, and Abigail and Oliver Snyder. The two great-great-granddaughters are: Hollyn and Hadleigh Hoglund. Also a special part of the family are Michael and Jamie Landrich, Cathy and Jim Slocum, and Heather Greenawalt and family.
Bill and Barbara traveled a lot, starting out tent camping out west, moving on to travel trailers and finally onto a little of the world traveling. They visited Hawaii, the then called Yugoslavia, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and a fantastic cruise to Alaska.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by: his brothers: Ted (late Eunice) Gorka, David (Debbie) Reed, and his sister, Joan (late Tony) Riforgiato.
Calling hours will be at the LARSON-TIMKO Funeral Home, 20 Central Avenue, Fredonia, NY, on Sunday, December 4th from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated at St. Joseph Church, 145 East Main St., Fredonia, NY, on Monday, December 5, at 10 am, (Please assemble at Church), with a luncheon following the service at the Beaver Club, 64 Prospect St., Fredonia. Private committal services for the immediate family will take place at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Fredonia. Bill's funeral Mass will be live streamed on his site on the funeral home web site, larsontimkofuneralhome.com starting at 9:45 am, with the funeral commencing at 10 am.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fredonia Rescue Squad or to a Charity of your choice. On-line condolnces may be made at larsontimkofuneralhome.com.
Arrangeements by David J. Dengler
Bill worked for nearly 40 years at the Steel Plant in Dunkirk. He also worked on the farm and at the garage for Stewart Dudley. He was a very devoted member of St. Joseph's Church in Fredonia where he wore many hats. He served as an usher, a Eucharistic minister, and was always ready to lend a hand when repairs, etc., needed tending to. He recently received the St. Joseph Workers Award of which he was so very proud. He was an active bingo worker for many years, where he made so many friends. He was a 3rd Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus and was a member of the Moose Club.
Bill married the love of his life, Barbara (Prince) and they shared 72 years of a loving marriage. They raised five wonderful children; Vickie (late James) Fisher, Robert (Karen) Gorka, Debra Gorka, Michael Gorka, and Kimberly (late John) Franklin. A lifetime of love and caring centered around the children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, two great-great-granddaughters. The grandchildren are: Scott (Kimberly) Fisher, Rebecca (Larry) Luba, Heather (Ralph) Stronner, Rob (Lisa) Gorka, Matthew (Stacey) Gorka, Michael Gorka, Nichole (Will) Haas, and Amy (Marc) Snyder. The great-grandchildren are: Taylor (Ricky) Hoglund, Megan and Peyton Fisher, Mia and Aiden Gorka, Danielle and Molly Gorka, and Abigail and Oliver Snyder. The two great-great-granddaughters are: Hollyn and Hadleigh Hoglund. Also a special part of the family are Michael and Jamie Landrich, Cathy and Jim Slocum, and Heather Greenawalt and family.
Bill and Barbara traveled a lot, starting out tent camping out west, moving on to travel trailers and finally onto a little of the world traveling. They visited Hawaii, the then called Yugoslavia, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and a fantastic cruise to Alaska.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by: his brothers: Ted (late Eunice) Gorka, David (Debbie) Reed, and his sister, Joan (late Tony) Riforgiato.
Calling hours will be at the LARSON-TIMKO Funeral Home, 20 Central Avenue, Fredonia, NY, on Sunday, December 4th from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated at St. Joseph Church, 145 East Main St., Fredonia, NY, on Monday, December 5, at 10 am, (Please assemble at Church), with a luncheon following the service at the Beaver Club, 64 Prospect St., Fredonia. Private committal services for the immediate family will take place at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Fredonia. Bill's funeral Mass will be live streamed on his site on the funeral home web site, larsontimkofuneralhome.com starting at 9:45 am, with the funeral commencing at 10 am.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fredonia Rescue Squad or to a Charity of your choice. On-line condolnces may be made at larsontimkofuneralhome.com.
Arrangeements by David J. Dengler