Gordon W. Gormley

WESTMINSTER - Gordon W. "Bill" Gormley, 75, of 52 North Common Road, Westminster, died Thursday, June 12th in UMASS Memorial Medical Center, University Campus, Worcester, after a short illness. He was born in Winchendon on May 12,1933, the son of Charles E. and Ruth M. (Gordon) Gandy Gormley and had lived in Westminster for 30 years. Bill was employed by General Electric in Fitchburg for 33 years as a machinist and union steward. An avid trap shooter, Bill was the Singles Class Champion in the 2004 Eastern Zone Championship, held in New York, shooting a score of 199 out of a possible score of 200. He also won championships in various other regional and national trap shooting competitions. He was a member of the Amateur Radio Relay League, Montachusett Amateur Radio Club, Mohawk Amateur Radio Club, Amateur Radio Call Letters AA1BL, Amateur Trap Shooting Assn., Fitchburg Sportsman's Club, N. Leominster Rod and Gun Club General Electric Quarter Century Club and he was the Past President and Founder of the USS H.J. Ellison Assn. He was also a member of the Mt. Wattatic and Mt. Wachusett Ski Patrols and was a former member of the National Ski Patrol. Bill was an avid amateur radio enthusiast and always enjoyed communicating with others around the country and places around the world. A Veteran of the Korean War, Bill served in the Navy as a Machinist Mate 3rd Class. He served aboard the USS Sarsfields DD-837 and the USS H.J. Ellison DD-864. He was a member of the Eugene M. Connor Post 193 American Legion in Winchendon and the Westminster VFW. In 1950, Bill graduated from Murdock High School. He leaves his wife of 27 years, Karen A. (Ryder) Gormley; four children, Steven E. Gormley of Webster, David A. Gormley and his wife Carol of Winchendon, Michael S. Gormley and his wife Lori of Winchendon and Debra A. Stroschine and her husband Kevin of Winchendon; a sister, Betty Ashmore of Winchendon, seven grandchildren, as well as nephews and nieces. A sister, Anne E. Mable, predeceased him. Military funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 17th at 10 A.M. in the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon. The Rev. Francis A. Roberge will officiate. There are no calling hours. Bill especially cherished his time with the great friends he made at the North Leominster Gun Club and Fitchburg Sportsman's Club and wished that donations in his memory be made to New Trap Machine Fund, care of Fitchburg Sportsmen's Club, Inc., PO Box 594, Fitchburg, MA. 01420. The Snow-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon is directing arrangements. www.snow-ladeau.com