Joseph W. Gorman, Jr.

Joseph W. Gorman, Jr., age 86, of Upton passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 24, 2022.

Joseph was born July 17, 1935 at Milford Hospital to the late Joseph and Anne (Swett) Gorman and was raised in Upton.

Joseph was educated in Upton and Grafton schools and graduated from Grafton High School in 1953. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1956.  During his military career, he served as an honor guard for President Eisenhower. After his military service, he married Rita (Bigwood) Gorman in 1959 and settled in Upton.

After an honorable discharge from the Marines, Joe worked as a millwright for over 45 years with various companies. As a foreman, he worked all over the east coast, central states and Japan. Joe was a strong, hardworking man. He had many hobbies, but riding his motorcycles and woodworking were some of his personal favorites. Joe would often take bike trips to Laconia, Daytona Beach, and Sturgis. Joe was active in town politics, serving on the Board of Health and helping out on the Democratic Town Committee. Joe was an avid gardener and loved spending time with his grandchildren. He enjoyed softball, pig/coin collecting, swimming and participating in road races. Joe was well-known for his great sense of humor, silly pranks, and love for life. He was a proud marine who celebrated many Marine Corps birthdays and stayed connected with his fellow servicemen.

Joe is survived by his wife of 62 years, Rita; their daughter Jo-Ann King and her husband, Dave of Sutton; son, Joseph (Jay) Gorman of Millbury; daughter, Tracey (Gorman) Tardy and her husband, Stephen of Upton; son, Patrick Gorman and his wife Sue of Upton. He was the loving grandfather (Papa) of Jessica O’Connor (husband Brendan), Noah Tardy (fiancée Alyssa), Kyle and Collin Gorman.

Joe is also survived by a brother, Paul and his wife Mary, of North Carolina, and two sisters, Joan Varney of Upton and Margie Dean of Upton and is predeceased by a sister, Maureen Orr. He also leaves many nieces, nephews, in-laws, and special extended family members, Sean Libbey of Worcester and Michael (Spike) Greenough of Millbury.

Calling hours will be held from 4 to 6 PM on Thursday, March 10th, in the Pickering & Son Upton Funeral Home, 45 Main Street, Upton.

His funeral Mass will be held at 10 AM on Friday, March 11th at St. Gabriel the Archangel Church, 151 Mendon Street, Upton.

Burial with military honors will follow at Lakeview Cemetery, Upton.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joe’s name to SemperFi & Americas Fund at semperfifund.org or mail to 825 College Boulevard Suite 102, PMB 609, Oceanside, CA 92057.

www.UptonFunerals.com