Philip O'Gorman

Philip O'Gorman was born to William and Alvina O'Gorman of White Bear Lake, Minnesota on August 19th, 1949. He was raised in the same house where his father was born, alongside his siblings Steve, Patricia, Peter, and his eldest brother John who preceded Phil in death in 2015.

He was a dedicated Catholic in his early years, attending St. Mary's Church in White Bear Lake and spending his Sundays as an altar boy. He graduated from White Bear Lake High School in 1967, and joined the Air National Guard. He completed basic training, and did a short stint as a supply specialist. While away, Phil would frequently write letters home to his parents, detailing his daily life alongside his Air Force buddies, his high test scores, and his desire to come back to Minnesota.

When he did eventually return home he began working at 3M on the manufacturing floor. He also reunited with his high school sweetheart Sharonann Lunzer, and the two were married in 1972. They began building their family in Forest Lake, and had three children: Christina, Katherine, and Sean.

Phil designed and was the architect of a new family home in Wyoming, Minnesota, and his three children spent most of their childhoods under the roof that he built. During this time the family would make frequent trips to Disney World, the north shore, Duluth, and throughout the greater Twin Cities area. Phil was an avid traveler and loved discovering interesting and unique attractions around Minnesota and the world.

As his career at 3M progressed, he rose through the ranks of the tape manufacturing operation, and returned to school to earn an Associates Degree from Lakewood College. In his 40+- year career at the company, he rarely missed a day, and was known as a dependable and exceedingly competent member of the team. He received the 3M Pyramid of Excellence award, as well as recognition for "Perfect Attendance" in honor of his outstanding performance.

In 2003 Phil met Barbara Roan-Kastanos on a dating website. Their early courtship was swift, and combined the excitement of early love with the technical complexity of internet dating.

During one of their early online correspondences, Barbara's computer froze, preventing her from replying to Phil. Worried he may interpret the silence as disinterest, she raced across town to her daughter's home, where she immediately logged on to respond to him. Neither of them wanted to let a good thing slip by, and they were married a few months later.

2009 was an eventful year for Phil-he welcomed three sons-in-law and a grandson, and also retired from his career at 3M, enabling him to spend more time with his rapidly growing family. That year, Barbara's daughter Mary Ellen married Troy Reihsen, Phil's daughter Christina married Scott Roisum, and his younger daughter Katherine married Richard Kissner. His grandson Lucas was born that same year to Mary Ellen and Troy.

Two years prior in 2007, Phil's first grandson Ryan was born to Katherine and Richard, and the couple would later welcome Cory in 2010. Mary Ellen and Troy had their second son Cole (younger brother to Lucas) in 2013, and in 2016, Phil's son Sean started his life with Nicole Peterson and her three children Arianna, Daniel, and Joshua in Sartell, MN. Barbara's son Christopher married Claire Mazur in 2014 and they welcomed Phil's youngest grandson Cameron in 2018.

Phil took immense pride in his children and grandchildren, and he spent his later years as a devoted husband, dad, father-in-law, son-in-law, step-father, and grandpa. He was an extraordinarily supportive partner to Barbara, and was instrumental in helping care for her parents Doris and Larry, whom he loved very much.

Second only to his love of family was his passion for travel, and in Barbara he found an ideal companion for his adventures. Together they visited Hawaii, Disney, Yellowstone and other National Parks, and climbed aboard many (many) ocean cruises. Phil seemed to enjoy planning trips almost as much as taking them. Countless hours were spent researching the best deals, the optimal itineraries and, of course, the most efficient way to get from point A to point B. (All of us who were lucky enough to have known Phil, even just a little bit, were almost certainly given directions to something at least once). Any vacation was an opportunity to practice two of his greatest enthusiasms-logistics and exploration.

Phil was also notorious for his embrace of the holidays, and Christmas in particular. He packed more tradition, fun, family, and holiday cheer into one Christmas season than most do in their entire lifetimes. From tree cutting and decorating, to building out his miniature model village, to 'round-the-clock Christmas movie programming, Phil embraced the spirit and spread his joy to everyone around him. He lovingly passed this zeal onto his grandsons, and through them his presence will always be felt particularly strongly during this time of year.

Phil lived with multiple cats throughout the years. Barbara loved them, and he tolerated them. Phil understood that relationships are about compromise, and his patience and positive attitude remain an inspiration to us all. He also loved chocolate, ice cream, movie theaters, and being routinely punished by the lackluster Minnesota Vikings.

His loss leaves an enormous hole in our family and our community, and he will be dearly

missed.

(Obituary seen in the Pioneer Press)

Philip J. O'Gorman

Age 73 of Woodbury, formerly of White Bear Lake.

Passed away unexpectedly on November 18th.

Survived by his wife, Barbara; children, Christina (Scott) Roisum, Katherine (Richard) Kissner, Sean (Nicole Peterson), Mary Ellen (Troy) Reihsen and Christopher (Claire) Roan; 8 grandchildren; 4 siblings and many other extended family members and friends.

A Celebration of Phil's life will take place at 2pm on Sunday, November 27th at Mueller Memorial, 4738 Bald Eagle Ave., White Bear Lake. Visitation will begin at 1pm and a reception to follow.