Obituary for F. Sean "Bobby" Gorman
F. Sean Gorman of Chesapeake, affectionately known as Bobby, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2023, surrounded by his family in the comfort of his own home.
Sean was born on May 7, 1950, in Queens, New York, and was raised in a loving home. Along with his sister and brothers, there were always many, many dogs about. His best friends growing up were Woody, Maynard, Rosie, Zelda, Junior, and Igor, and then he discovered girls.
He received his Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Connecticut and joined the United States Navy, earning his wings as a naval Aviator. He attended the Navy’s Top Gun school. He also served as an Aviation Maintenance Officer aboard the USS John F. Kennedy during Operation Desert Storm. He was a mentor and teacher to many and received various medals for his accomplishments. Commander Gorman was known for his passion and he respected those who tried their hardest. He retired after 20 years of service and received a Master of Education from Old Dominion University.
Sean exchanged his Naval uniform for his daily dad wear: khaki pants secured with a belt squarely fitted at the waist and a tasteful short sleeve button-up. Completing the look were Birkenstock sandals or cowboy boots and a Stetson, depending on how yee-haw he was feeling.
His passion for teaching others led him to teach physics and science at St. Matthew’s, Christ the King, and St. Patrick's Catholic Schools.
Sean married Lucille Brzezinski in 1976 beginning a life of love and adventure. Together they faced endless moves around the country, sailed the eastern seaboard, and raised four amazing children. They supported one another’s passions and honored one another’s dreams.
He excelled at motorcycle racing, aviation, and sailing, and was an accomplished HAM radio operator. He was a phenomenal photographer, with an inexplicable ability to see the beauty in the world, whether a tree branch, a rocky shore, or a tight jet formation. He was a devoted father who unconditionally loved his daughters. On his last day alive he said, “I’m so proud of all my girls.” Alas, no official word on who the favorite daughter was.
Bobby loved witnessing “the lightbulb turn on,” in the minds of his grandchildren. He loved being a part of their journey of learning and discovery. He was passionate about their growth and admired the creativity and difference of all his grandkids.
Sean’s passing will be felt through generations.
He will be remembered for making people laugh, being a know-it-all (because he actually was), and having the answer to the question “Why is my oil light on?”
Sean is survived by his beloved wife, Lucille Brzezinski Gorman; his daughters Jennifer (Mike), Luce (Todd), Eli (Evan), and Joan (Christopher); his grandchildren Mia, Annabelle, Levi, Tilly, and Laird; his brother Hugh Dennis (Sally); his sister Christina (Gregg); his best friends Stephen, Phil, and Mikey; nieces and nephews; cousins; in-laws, and many other friends.
Sean was preceded in death by his mother Joan Morton Gorman; father Francis John Gorman; brother Liam Gorman; Aunt Ann Morton, Uncle Tom and Aunt Jane Morton, and John “Buck” Sturges.
If you think his family is big, you should see the toast! We couldn’t even get it through the door!
A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at 10 a.m. at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church, 1544 S. Battlefield Blvd, Chesapeake. He will be privately laid to rest at Albert G. Horton, Jr. State Veteran's Cemetery, Suffolk.
The family asks in honor of Sean to please engage in your local community with your family as he did: Don’t be afraid to take something apart to see how it works, visit your local rocketry or HAM radio club, attend your local bluegrass festival, go to the local planetarium, volunteer at your local animal rescue shelter, take a picnic overlooking the water, go fishing, eat a hotdog, learn underwater-basket-weaving, grow a mustache, hug your family, and say “I love you” every day. Most of all, love one another.
His daughters ask their father to please haunt them.
Have fun storming the castle, Bobby!
Sean was born on May 7, 1950, in Queens, New York, and was raised in a loving home. Along with his sister and brothers, there were always many, many dogs about. His best friends growing up were Woody, Maynard, Rosie, Zelda, Junior, and Igor, and then he discovered girls.
He received his Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Connecticut and joined the United States Navy, earning his wings as a naval Aviator. He attended the Navy’s Top Gun school. He also served as an Aviation Maintenance Officer aboard the USS John F. Kennedy during Operation Desert Storm. He was a mentor and teacher to many and received various medals for his accomplishments. Commander Gorman was known for his passion and he respected those who tried their hardest. He retired after 20 years of service and received a Master of Education from Old Dominion University.
Sean exchanged his Naval uniform for his daily dad wear: khaki pants secured with a belt squarely fitted at the waist and a tasteful short sleeve button-up. Completing the look were Birkenstock sandals or cowboy boots and a Stetson, depending on how yee-haw he was feeling.
His passion for teaching others led him to teach physics and science at St. Matthew’s, Christ the King, and St. Patrick's Catholic Schools.
Sean married Lucille Brzezinski in 1976 beginning a life of love and adventure. Together they faced endless moves around the country, sailed the eastern seaboard, and raised four amazing children. They supported one another’s passions and honored one another’s dreams.
He excelled at motorcycle racing, aviation, and sailing, and was an accomplished HAM radio operator. He was a phenomenal photographer, with an inexplicable ability to see the beauty in the world, whether a tree branch, a rocky shore, or a tight jet formation. He was a devoted father who unconditionally loved his daughters. On his last day alive he said, “I’m so proud of all my girls.” Alas, no official word on who the favorite daughter was.
Bobby loved witnessing “the lightbulb turn on,” in the minds of his grandchildren. He loved being a part of their journey of learning and discovery. He was passionate about their growth and admired the creativity and difference of all his grandkids.
Sean’s passing will be felt through generations.
He will be remembered for making people laugh, being a know-it-all (because he actually was), and having the answer to the question “Why is my oil light on?”
Sean is survived by his beloved wife, Lucille Brzezinski Gorman; his daughters Jennifer (Mike), Luce (Todd), Eli (Evan), and Joan (Christopher); his grandchildren Mia, Annabelle, Levi, Tilly, and Laird; his brother Hugh Dennis (Sally); his sister Christina (Gregg); his best friends Stephen, Phil, and Mikey; nieces and nephews; cousins; in-laws, and many other friends.
Sean was preceded in death by his mother Joan Morton Gorman; father Francis John Gorman; brother Liam Gorman; Aunt Ann Morton, Uncle Tom and Aunt Jane Morton, and John “Buck” Sturges.
If you think his family is big, you should see the toast! We couldn’t even get it through the door!
A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at 10 a.m. at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church, 1544 S. Battlefield Blvd, Chesapeake. He will be privately laid to rest at Albert G. Horton, Jr. State Veteran's Cemetery, Suffolk.
The family asks in honor of Sean to please engage in your local community with your family as he did: Don’t be afraid to take something apart to see how it works, visit your local rocketry or HAM radio club, attend your local bluegrass festival, go to the local planetarium, volunteer at your local animal rescue shelter, take a picnic overlooking the water, go fishing, eat a hotdog, learn underwater-basket-weaving, grow a mustache, hug your family, and say “I love you” every day. Most of all, love one another.
His daughters ask their father to please haunt them.
Have fun storming the castle, Bobby!