Joseph Roderick O'Gorman, Sr., 95, a resident of Carroll Lutheran Village in Westminster, MD, passed away on Tuesday December 29, 2015 at the Dove House in Westminster.

Born March 13, 1920 in Lawrence, MA, he was the son of the late James A. and Grace M. Bean O'Gorman. He was the beloved husband of the late Eileen P. Lahey O'Gorman, his wife of 69 years, who died in 2011.

He attended school in Lawrence and as a teenager (1937 to 1940), he attended the annual month long encampments of the Citizens' Military Training Camp at Ft. Ethan Ellen, Vermont.

In August 1938, Joe enlisted in the regular army reserves just before the start of World War II. He married his teenage sweetheart, Eileen Patricia Lahey on November 22, 1941, just two weeks before Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. His reserve unit was called to duty but Joe was deferred because of his job at the GE electric motor test laboratory. Since the deferment was revoked on October 10, 1942, he reported to Ft. Bragg, NC for basic training. He then spent three months at Officer Training Corps and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was subsequently assigned to the 577 AAA Battalion AW SP.

After much training and several assignments, Joe eventually became an AntiAircraft Tank Commander and was transferred to the Philippines in preparation for the Japan invasion. As the war ended and he was discharged on June 6, 1946. After 45 months of service, he was reunited with his wife and two children.

Joe took advantage of the GI Bill and received a BS in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Industrial Engineering. After working for the Ford Motor Co. for 18 years, he retired; but then accepted a position in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. After 15 years, he retired to California in 1983 and became a consultant to testing laboratories and became a Forensic Engineer with Mitchell Labs.

After retiring again, he returned to Richmond, VA where he enjoyed his large family of eight children, 21 grandchildren (17 college graduates) and numerous great-grandchildren scattered across the United States. He and his wife Eileen enjoyed swimming and Joe was an occasional golfer and even played company softball. Eileen passed away in 2011 and Joe then moved to Carroll Lutheran Village in March 2013, where he enjoyed participating in various activities, walking, swimming and spending time working on his computer.

Surviving are sons and daughters-in-law, James Andrew and Bonnie O'Gorman of Aliso Viejo, CA, Terrence and Dew O'Gorman of Bonaire, GA, Timothy P. and Nancy O'Gorman of The Woodlands, TX, Mark O'Gorman of Glenwood, FL; daughters and son-in-law, Eileen and Allan Stoner of Hampstead, MD, Joan Morrison of Blue Ridge, VA; daughter-in-law, Gail O'Gorman of Chicago, IL; son-in-law, Lee Moore of Richmond, VA; 21 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son, Joseph R. O'Gorman, Jr., a daughter, Patricia Moore, a granddaughter, Emily Morrison and a son-in-law, Paul Morrison.

The family will receive friends on Saturday January 16, 2016 from 10 a.m. until the time of the Celebration of Life at 11 a.m. at Krug Chapel at Carroll Lutheran Village, 300 St. Luke Circle, Westminster. Chaplain Jimmie Schwartz will officiate. Inurnment in Arlington National Cemetery will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Duvall Home, 55 Grand Avenue, Glenwood, FL 32724 or to Carroll Hospice, Inc., 292 Stoner Avenue, Westminster, MD 21157.