Obituary of Jack Rex Gorman

GORMAN: Jack R., passed away at the North Bay Regional Health Center on Friday, February 24, 2012, at the age of 89. Born in North Bay to Mary and William Burton Gorman on December 8 1922, he was predeceased by his parents, both brothers, Odd and Cliff, and sister Fern. He is survived by his dear wife Middy and their sons John and Bill all of North Bay. He was happiest with his love for his childhood sweetheart and wife of 69 years, the former Mildred "Middy" Morland and their sons. He attended elementary and high school in North Bay and Pickering College in Newmarket. During World War II he left high school to enlist in the RCAF and served 3 and one half years as a Navigator and Wireless Operator. For many years he was a building contractor in North Bay and was also active in community affairs including chairman of the Industrial Commission, first chairman of the present Memorial Gardens Arena, served on City Council and ran unsuccessfully as Provincial Conservative candidate. In 1950, he, Alderman Jack Grainger and Sam Jacks, Director of Recreation, organized and ran the city's Silver Jubilee Celebration. When North Bay got its first Television Station, CKGN, in 1956, although a building contractor, Jack was the first moderator of a weekly Community Affairs talk show "Lets Find Out" for the first full season of 40 consecutive weeks In 1967, he was co-organizer with the Chief Research Architect of the Ontario Department of Education of a three day "Design Workshop" for the recently appointed Board Chairmen and Presidents of the then newly established Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology. Also in attendance was the Board Chairman of Ryerson Polytechnic Institute (now Ryerson University) which was about to undertake a major expansion, who asked both workshop organizers to take part in Ryerson's building program. In due course, both accepted and Jack stayed on to become Executive Assistant to the President, Director, Office of the President and Secretary of the Board of Governors. Jack was one of four officers of the Institute and was also a member of the Board of Directors of York University - Ryerson Joint Computing Centre, Ryerson Applied Research Limited, CJRT-FM Ryerson Radio, and Niell-Wycik College. In retirement he was, for many years, a member of the Board of the Canadian School of Management. In October, 2002, Jack and Middy returned home to North Bay. At Jack's request, there will be no visitation. A private family service will be held later in the year with spring interment in the family plot in Terrace Lawn Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the Martyn Funeral Home.