Thomas O. "Tommy" Gorsuch IV, a resident of Malden and former longtime resident of Charlestown, entered into eternal life on Monday, April 6, 2020 at Glen Ridge Nursing Care Center in Medford. He was 88 years of age.
Tommy was born in Boston on July 21, 1931, a son of the late Thomas O. Gorsuch III and Theresa (Higgins) Gorsuch. He grew up in Roxbury for a short period of his life before moving to Charlestown as a young child where he was educated in the Boston Public School system. Tommy enlisted into the United States Navy on December 14, 1950 and served his country faithfully and with courage during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged on August 18, 1952 with the rank of Seaman Apprentice. Tommy worked tirelessly for many years in the Charlestown community and in his basement at his house in Malden and as a Craftsman and Artist with jewelry and art and was always generous with his work passing out different items of jewelry to the people of Charlestown. and Malden. Tommy is the recipient of The Charlestown Community Alumnus Award and Peter Looney Community Appreciation Alumnus Award.
Tommy never considered himself an artist but always saw his creations as a hobby and a business which he knew would end up on key chains and in the pockets of youths and the elderly of Charlestown and Malden. Tommy opened his own business in downtown Boston for a short period before deciding to do his own work in his basement home in Malden. He has created key chains depicting many Boston landmarks such as the Bunker Hill Monument and Old Ironsides. He has designed and carved a coin, paperweight and a dog tag key chain for Massachusetts Korean War Veterans Committee. Designed and carved medallion for Charlestown Honorary Mayor which is presented to the winner every year. Designed and sculpted Bunker Hill Monument in bronze for Charlestown Community Awards which is hanging in the Knights of Columbus Hall in Charlestown. Designed and sculpted Bunker Hill Monument trophies that are imbedded in acrylic and presented to seven award winners for doing special work over and above their regular duties for the community. Designed and carved a dog tag key chain in pewter for the Quincy Korean War Veterans. Designed and carved a medallion for the Malden Public Library for awards to children for their reading program. They read thirty books and then are given a test. If they pass they are given the medallion. Designed and carved many pieces for E.B. Horn, Filene's and other various jewelers. Designed medallion for Charlestown Library Children's Program. Designed and carved piece for United States Tourism Bureau. Designed a whole line of Irish Jewelry. Designed Charlestown Mayor's Medallion for Charlestown to Charlestown Race, carved Bunker Hill Museum medallion and was also very involved in the Life Focus Center of Charlestown.
Tommy is the beloved husband 64 years of the late Elizabeth M. "Betty" (Fitzpatrick) Gorsuch. He is the devoted father of Sheila Gorsuch Sillari. He is the loving Pa to Charles J. Sillari Jr. and his wife Laurie and Lindsay Sillari Blumsack and her husband Brian and also his great-grandchildren Charlie, Sofia, Matthew, Robert and Elizabeth. He is the Godfather to Charlie Pratt and is also survived by his many loving nieces and nephews. He is the brother of Marie Gibbons and the late Ann Ashby.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Tommy's Graveside Funeral Service on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at 10 A.M. in Holy Cross Cemetery, 175 Broadway, Malden. (PLEASE MEET INSIDE MAIN ENTRANCE OFF BROADWAY BY 9:45 A.M. PRIOR TO SERVICE.
DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THERE ARE NO FUNERAL HOME VISITING HOURS AND A CELEBRATION OF TOMMY'S LIFE WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A LATER DATE.