John Joseph, “JJ”, Gorrick of Duryea passed away unexpectedly at home on Friday morning, March 24, 2023, leaving his family lost in sadness. He will be forever missed.
JJ was the loving husband of Nancy Sue (Vutnoski) Gorrick. They would have celebrated 51 years of marriage on April 22nd. He will be remembered and missed as a caring husband, Dad, Pop, brother, uncle, and friend.
Born on June 15, 1944, he was the son of the late Ambrose and Helen ( Budzilek) Gorrick, Duryea. He was a parishioner of Nativity of Our Lord, Holy Rosary Parish, Duryea. John was a graduating member of the Duryea High School, Class of 1962; the last class before merging into the Pittston Area School District. John was an outstanding athlete.
John proudly served in the Army, 402 M.P. He was a member of the Pennsylvania State Police, retiring after 27 ½ years of service. He was later employed as a Luzerne County Deputy Sheriff for 15 years and also worked for the U.S. Marshall’s Service.
John was active in the State Police Retirees, FOP John Hancock Memorial Lodge; the VFW, The American Legion and The West Side Club, Avoca.
Besides his wife Nancy Sue, he is survived by his daughter, LoriAnn and husband Mark Pajalich, their children Jake, Alyssa, and Cameron, Moosic; his son John J., Jr. and companion, Lisa and his son J.J., III, Clarks Summit; sisters, the late Dorothy and her husband, Frank Barnousky, Duryea and Romaine and her husband Louis Campenni, Pittston. Also, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins as well as former daughter- in-law, Dawn Gorrick.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations made in John’s name to the Pa. State Police Museum, 187 E. Hershey Park Drive, Hershey, Pa 17033
A mass of Christian burial will be held on Thursday, March 30, 2023, at 10:00am at Nativity of Our Lord Parish Church, 127 Stephenson St., Duryea with Fr. Michael Bryant officiating. Friends may call for visitation on Wednesday evening, March 29, 2023, from 5pm-8pm at Kiesinger Funeral Services, Inc., 255 McAlpine St., Duryea.
Family and friends are asked to go directly to the church on Thursday morning for the mass. There will be no procession from the funeral home. Interment will be held at Holy Rosary Cemetery, Duryea. The active members of the PA State Police along with the AMVETS Honor Guard of Greater Pittston will provide Military Honors.
J.J. Will be missed by his many friends in the NE state police retirees association were he served as an officer. He lived a life of service through army service, law enforcement as a trooper and deputy sheriff. Bravo Zulu our friend.
Please know we send our deepest condolences to the entire Gorrick family. May God give his family strength during this difficult time and my he rest in eternal peace. God bless❤️ The Castaldi Family