Obituary for Richard Robert Gorski
Richard Gorski passed away at home on April 22, 2023 at the all-too-young age of 66. He is preceded in death by his parents, Richard Sr. And Loretta (nee Gross), beloved wife of 31 years, Carol (nee Mereness), and is survived and dearly missed by his children, Jonathan and Sarah, and sister Diane (Scott Brader). He was loved and cherished by the community he lived in, and dedicated his life to serving the people within.
Richard was born on May 4th, 1956, and grew up in Milwaukee. Upon graduation from UW-Milwaukee, he worked for several years at Valuation Research Corporation (VRC) as a financial analyst. Eventually, he felt called to serve the church and began seminary school. Just before the birth of his daughter, Richard graduated from Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary, and began serving the Lord as an associate pastor of Elmbrook Church. Soon, he would follow the call to start his own church in the community he had settled in, and from his living room couch began Southbrook Church in Franklin. He grew the church to a congregation of 350, and thrived on the opportunity to serve.
At home, Richard loved his family. He enjoyed spending time with them geocaching in the woods, watching movies and playing foosball in the basement that he handcrafted and finished himself, assisting the kids with complicated math homework, teaching them how to play Cribbage and Sheepshead, and blasting classic rock music he claimed was “made loud to be played loud”.
After his time with the church came to an end, Richard returned to his life at VRC to selflessly provide for his family, and would reunite with colleagues and friends he cherished dearly.
Richard and Carol loved each other fiercely. Carol passed away on May 11 2014, leaving behind a grieving family and growing them all closer. Richard was proud to have been married to her longer than he wasn’t married to her, and could never picture his future without her. They were, in all fairness and in his own words, supposed to grow old together.
Grief is a powerful emotion, and Richard grieved his late wife immensely. Now reunited, his surviving family and friends can only imagine the joy they feel, finally connected for the eternity they deserve to spend together.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Wehr Nature Center in Richard’s memory. He loved to hike their trails, and identify the birds with his binoculars and bird app on his phone. We hope these donations made in his memory allow the Center to continue to provide a warm and welcoming place for all to enjoy, for many years to come. Richard would be proud to continue to support them even after his passing.
A Visitation will be held Sunday May 21st from 2:00 to 4:00 PM with a service to follow at Hartson Funeral Home
11111 W. Janesville Road, Hales Corners, Wisconsin.
Richard was born on May 4th, 1956, and grew up in Milwaukee. Upon graduation from UW-Milwaukee, he worked for several years at Valuation Research Corporation (VRC) as a financial analyst. Eventually, he felt called to serve the church and began seminary school. Just before the birth of his daughter, Richard graduated from Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary, and began serving the Lord as an associate pastor of Elmbrook Church. Soon, he would follow the call to start his own church in the community he had settled in, and from his living room couch began Southbrook Church in Franklin. He grew the church to a congregation of 350, and thrived on the opportunity to serve.
At home, Richard loved his family. He enjoyed spending time with them geocaching in the woods, watching movies and playing foosball in the basement that he handcrafted and finished himself, assisting the kids with complicated math homework, teaching them how to play Cribbage and Sheepshead, and blasting classic rock music he claimed was “made loud to be played loud”.
After his time with the church came to an end, Richard returned to his life at VRC to selflessly provide for his family, and would reunite with colleagues and friends he cherished dearly.
Richard and Carol loved each other fiercely. Carol passed away on May 11 2014, leaving behind a grieving family and growing them all closer. Richard was proud to have been married to her longer than he wasn’t married to her, and could never picture his future without her. They were, in all fairness and in his own words, supposed to grow old together.
Grief is a powerful emotion, and Richard grieved his late wife immensely. Now reunited, his surviving family and friends can only imagine the joy they feel, finally connected for the eternity they deserve to spend together.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Wehr Nature Center in Richard’s memory. He loved to hike their trails, and identify the birds with his binoculars and bird app on his phone. We hope these donations made in his memory allow the Center to continue to provide a warm and welcoming place for all to enjoy, for many years to come. Richard would be proud to continue to support them even after his passing.
A Visitation will be held Sunday May 21st from 2:00 to 4:00 PM with a service to follow at Hartson Funeral Home
11111 W. Janesville Road, Hales Corners, Wisconsin.