Thomas "Joe" Gorman

Joe went on to his next adventure on May 18 after living life to the fullest in spite of suffering heart failure, incredibly, 22 years ago. His loving, generous heart had finally done all it could.

Joe earned his BA from University of Maryland and his Master’s from Lesley College. Moving to Colorado, with Nancy, in 1982, he traded his love of the ocean for the mountains. He spent a lifetime teaching (at Landover Hills in Maryland), then at Lincoln, Dunn, and as a school counselor (at Preston and Bacon in Colorado). He served as a Principal for Poudre school district’s summer school program. While teaching full time, he was also on the on-call team for Mountain Crest Mental Health facility for several years. He was awarded MESA Honor Teacher (93-94) and Distinguished Teacher award (90-91).

As much as he loved teaching and counseling, his first love was his family; his wife and best friend for 52 years, Nancy (Swiger) Gorman, and his three sons, Matt, Tom (wife Stephanie), and Tim (girlfriend Cindy). He dearly loved his brothers Jimmy (wife Nancy Gail), Denny (wife Jane) and sister Patty Wills (husband Rick), sister-in-law Susan Despain (husband Don) and brother-in-law Ron Eversman (wife Anita -deceased) and mother and father-in-law Dee and Vernon Swiger (both deceased). As well as countless cousins, nieces and nephews.

Joe loved music! All kinds of music but his favorite was old R&B -think Smokey Robinson. He loved playing cards with our friends and our kids. Shanghai! He had a love-hate relationship with golf and his sports teams, CSU Rams and Broncos (and for many years Maryland U and Washington teams). His outdoor passions through the years included walking (especially with Nancy and our dogs - first Shyre, then Weasel, hiking, camping, skiing, biking, tennis, badminton, and cornhole. He was also taught, by his parents, to love bridge and was a good bridge player with friends and family. Other than ice cream, one of his favorite things was a road trip - the longer, bumpier and more off road - the better! Or a trip to wonderful Italy to visit Tom and Stephanie and their small menagerie of animals. As he slowed down a bit these last couple of years, he had fun playing with our unpredictable parakeet, Bebe and loved just sitting on the deck with a fire, watching the sunset with Nancy, and listening to the birds.

Joe was an avid believer in justice, kindness, and equality for all people. He could not stay silent about injustices he saw daily. His belief that all people are worthy of love shone through him to his students, and his many friends and family. Countless lives were touched and made more joyous because of his love for laughter. His laughter and his gloriously loving heart will be missed by so many.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Heart Association or to a charity you hold dear.

Celebration of Life, August 8, 1-4 at Fort Collins Senior Center, 1200 Raintree Dr., Ft Collins, CO.