Obituary and funeral arrangements

REDSOX.COM: "Former Red Sox GM Gorman dies at 82"

BROCKTON ENTERPRISE: "Late Gorman became one of Stonehill College’s most recognized, beloved figures"

James "Lou" Gorman, Class of 1953, passed early this morning at the age of 82.

Alumnus James "Lou" Gorman, who died early in the morning on Friday, April 1, 2011, was synonymous with the Boston Red Sox, having served the team in various capacities since 1984. But he was also the most honored individual in Stonehill history, someone whose volunteer spirit and dedication merited recognition not just from his peers, but from succeeding generations of alumni at the College.

Most Honored Alumnus

Gorman was a member of the Class of 1953, only the second in the College's history. He went on to become the first alumnus to receive both the Outstanding Alumnus Award (1979) and the Alumni Service Award (2000).

A basketball and baseball player while at Stonehill, Gorman was inducted into the College's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989. Today, our baseball field bears his name.

In addition, he served several terms as a member of the Board of Trustees and as Chair of the College's Annual Fund. There is also a scholarship at the College named for Gorman and his beloved wife, Mary Lou.

In 1999, Stonehill gave Gorman its Moreau Medallion which was presented to 50 individuals whose loyalty and service contributed to the success of the College during its first half century.

He also received an honorary Doctor of Business Administration degree from the College in 2002 and, in 2003, he received the College's highest honor, the Lux et Spes Award, named after the College's motto, which means "Light and Hope."

In 2007, he gave the Commencement Address, telling seniors about the importance of being alert to special opportunities and being prepared to "take their best swing" when those opportunities occur.

A Heart Bigger than Left-Field

"Whenever Lou represented Stonehill, he did so right from the heart. Anyone who met him felt the warmth of his welcome and the depth of his caring. Appropriately enough, a journalist once wrote that he had ‘a heart bigger than the left-field wall,'" said College President Rev. Mark Cregan, C.S.C. '78.

"His fellow alumni loved Lou. He epitomized what is means to be a Stonehill alumnus. He was our first Mr. Stonehill. He knew everyone's name and always had time for people. Alumni, from our early years to the most recent classes admired him for the quiet, unassuming ways in which he made things happen. With his passing, we have lost a truly outstanding alumnus," said Catherine Campbell '96, president of the Alumni Council at Stonehill.

Great Ambassador

Gorman was a great ambassador for the College, according to Vice President for Advancement at Stonehill Francis X. Dillon '70 who worked with him on countless alumni projects and events.

"A gentleman and a diplomat, Lou led by example. His word was his bond. He treated people with respect and he never lost sight of his core values. Whether serving his country, church, profession, community or alma mater, he instinctively did the right thing. Everyone here will miss him and his friendship greatly, "said Dillon.

To view a Snapshot Tribute to Lou Gorman, visit here.

Contact

For more information, contact Communications and Media Relations at 508-565-1321.