Champion and staunch supporter of Irish language and culture, Dr. Gus O’Gorman immediately came on board when David and I asked him about reviving the Bloomsday Festival here in Montreal in 2012. He and his friends had celebrated it for several years in Hurley’s Pub with readings from the book that started it all, Ulysses by James Joyce.
Gus loved being on the stage. He dressed up for his readings and put his heart and talent into every one. He had his business side too. While Gus was president of the St. Patrick’s Society of Montreal, he got the newsletter Nuacht started. He ran his radiology practice at Westmount Square and took care of kids at the Children’s and the Shriners Hospital.
His funeral was Saturday, November 5 at Ascension of Our Lord Church in Westmount. There were at least 500 people present from the Irish community here in Montreal but also others who knew him in other capacities – such as the ski club in St. Jerome, other sports and cultural organizations as well. Later over 200 folks came to the reception at the Irish Embassy Pub, Gus’s favourite, where we raised a “The Parting Glass”:
Oh, all the comrades that e’er I had/ They’re sorry for my going away/ And all the sweethearts that e’er I had/ They’d wish me one more day to stay/ But since it falls unto my lot/ That I should rise and you should not/ I’ll gently rise and softly call/ Good night and joy be with you all.
Good night, dear Gus. We shall miss you with all our hearts.
Judith and David Schurman
Festival Bloomsday Montreal
Official Obit:
http://mountroyalcem.permavita.com/site/AugustinOGorman.html?s=40
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