Edwin J. “Sarge” Gorgacz, 85, Pleasant Twp., Warren, PA., died Monday afternoon, October 22, 2018 after an extended illness. He was born August 23, 1933 in New Castle, PA. Sarge was the son of John and Helen Adamczyk Gorgacz. He has resided in Warren since 1974, and was formerly of Uniontown, PA. He was a graduate of Union High School of New Castle, PA., and the Pennsylvania State Police Academy of Hershey, PA. Sarge had served with the U.S. Air Force from 1953 to 1957 where he was a Staff Sergeant, earning the Korean Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal.
He was a State Policeman for 35 years, retiring as Sergeant for 20 years, at the Warren State Police Barracks. After retirement, he was employed as a Private Investigator for 10 years. Ed was a member of St. Joseph R.C. Church, was a church usher, member of the cemetery board of directors and Warren Knights of Columbus Council. He was a member of the American Legion Post 135, Eagles Aerie, Warren Moose Lodge 109. Ed loved turkey hunting, trout fishing and spending time with family, and buddies at his hunting camp. He was an avid Notre Dame Football Fan and attended many games at the golden dome.
His family fondly remembers him as a man that loves to talk to people and make you laugh. Love to have a good time and get a good jab in now and then. Everyone called him Sarge, but we called him Hon, Dad and Papa.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Dorothy Jendrysik Gorgacz whom he married February 20, 1960 in New Castle, PA.,
4 Children – Joseph Gorgacz of Manhatten, N.Y., Paul Gorgacz and wife, Tracy, Patty Fredericks and husband, Mark all of Warren, PA., Lori McTavish and husband Darren of State College, PA., 8 Grandchildren – Leah, Ryan, Carley, Kelsey, Olivia, Gabrielle, Kyle and Jason. 1 Sister – Joan Kolodziejski and husband, John of New Castle, PA., several nieces and nephews also survive.
Friends may call at the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., 304 East Street, Warren, PA., on Thursday, October 25, 2018 from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 P.M. where a vigil service will be conducted at 2:45 P.M. by Deacon Joseph Lucia. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted Friday, October 26, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Joseph R.C. Church, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue West, Warren, PA., with Fr. James Gutting, Pastor of Holy Redeemer R.C. Church, officiating. Interment will be in St. Joseph R.C. Cemetery where full military honors will be conducted by members of the Sheffield/Clarendon V.F.W. Funeral Honor Guard and the U.S. Air Force personnel. Those wishing to place memorials may do so through Don Mills Achievement Center, 677 Hospital Drive, #J, Warren, PA., 16365 or St. Joseph School, 608 Pennsylvania Avenue West, Warren, PA. 16365
E-mail condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com
We wish to extend our deepest sympathy to the entire Gorgacz family. We have lost a good friend,and he will remain in the minds and hearts of all that knew “Sarge”. Where ever you met Sarge,he always had a kind word and his smile to greet you. Rest well “Brother”.
To Dorothy and family.When reading the news I could not help but reflect my not only living next door to Edwin but the many times he and his sister and the rest of the children growing up in the neighborhood spending many hours playing softball.What a guy he was. He choose a profession that he knew he was to be.May he rest in peace. Dorothy do take care.
I always enjoyed working and talking with “Sarge” at the Warren PD . My condolences to his family.
Who actually looks forward to having to talk to a police officer in the line of duty? Those of us who worked at the Times Observer during Ed’s tenure at the state police barracks did just that. Sarge took his job seriously, but he didn’t take himself seriously — and he always had an uplifting word for everyone. In times of stress or sorrow, he was a rock. He made many lives brighter and better, while keeping us safe with his strong presence.
Deepest sympathy from the pasi family. We list our sarge June 2016. Both in a better place
Gorgacz Family: Please accept our sympathies in your loss. Sgt. Gorgacz & my dad, Robert, worked on some school safety programs together and I remember meeting him a couple of times as a child. He & the rest of the staff at the barracks were always good to my dad & myself!
Deepest sympathy to the Gorgacz family. One of the best men I ever worked with in both Troop B and E. Always happy and he always met fellow Troopers with the greeting “how are you brother”. Great guy.
My DEEPEST SYMPATHY to the Gorgacz family. When he was Warren’s Station Commander, I was in frequent contact with him. He was always good for a laugh even on not so good days. Ed handled his Stations problems and supported the personnel under his command. He was a Good friend to me. He will be missed.
To the Gorgacz family and friends that Sarge knew. Vicki and I were so happy to have known such a great man. He was always sharing fun times with us at the legion and when I coached he had many favorable comments that he shared with me.We would like to extend our warmest sympathy to anyone that Sarge had the pleasure to touch lives with. He was a great State Policeman and always had that wonderful smile and personality. RIP my friend. So glad to have known you! I remember him coming up to me and saying-How ya doing “Brother!”
Dorothy & Family, Marilyn & I send our deepest sympathy.I have so many great memories growing up with cousin Ed, trips to Linger Light Dairy riding in the rumble seat in Uncle Johns car for ice cream, attending mid night mass@ Madonna Church & then going to your house to celebrate Christmas, family picnics in Zeke Woods. Rest In Peace cousin.
With deepest sympathy to the Gorgacz family. Sarge always had good stories to tell us younger troopers, enjoyed talking to him at FOP and PSP functions.
One of the best, if not THE best, station commanders I ever had the pleasure of working with… and I worked with some outstanding ones. A true leader and gentleman that was admired and loved by all who knew and worked with and for him. I always referred to him as “The Great One!” Rest in peace my friend.
Dorothy and family,
We will always recall Ed’s great love for his family, his unwavering faith and his ability to make all who came into contact come away feeling better about themselves.
Ed had an uncanny ability to tag someone with a unique nickname such as ‘the Hebe’, ‘Kunta Kinte’, the Doc’ and ‘Capone’. Most know Ed as ‘the Sarge’, those of us in the inner circle called him ‘the Polish Prince’.
Sarge led the Warren Barracks of the Pennsylvania State Police and was perhaps the most high profile law enforcement officer in Northwestern Pennsylvania. And, he set a high example of leadership and service with pride.
We lit a candle for Ed at the Grotto, one of his favorite locations on the Notre Dame campus.
God bless, Ed and Requiescat in Pacem.
Rest in piece sarge, you will be missed by all! It was a pleasure and a privilege to have known and worked with you.
Chief J. W (Jack Neall) Retired
Warren Police Dept.
I have so many good memories of Ed and what a good man he was. He was very sharp witted and always had a something to say on any subject. I enjoyed all the good times we had on the Notre Dame trips and all of the laughter we shared. To Ed’s family: Please accept my sincere condolences on your loss.
Everyone who knew “Sarge” in Warren will mourn his passing. He will be sorely missed by anyone who knew him in life. God bless you, Dorothy, and we pray that you and your family will feel God’s peace and comfort in knowing that Ed is in His loving arms now. Everything was always “be-au-ti-ful” to Sarge and we can only imagine what he has to say about heaven! He will live on in all of our hearts forever.
Our condolences to the Gorgacz family on your loss. Many fond memories of Ed,
Pat and Tom Gleason
My deepest sympathy to the Gorgacz family. “Sarge” was a great trooper,leader and friend. He had a style which made the troopers around him and me laugh. God speed Sarge.
Where to start? First my deepest condolences and sympathies to the Gorgacz family.
Since the time I was 12 I have been going up to Camp with my dad and Mr. Gorgacz. In those 40 years I have come upon some of the greatest stories of my life.
This extended out to Notre Dame trips with some great people, and more fantastic stories.
My wife and I also had the honor of taking a trip with my parents and Ed and Dorthy out to Las Vegas.
Honestly there are some great stories and some fantastic memories that I’ve had the honor to share with Edwin Gorgacz.
He always ensured that whenever you had a conversation with him, he made you feel as though what you had to say was the most important thing to him in the world.
A true gentleman, and a man that I am not afraid to say I had a great deal of respect and love.
I am sure that he and my father are sitting around now having a Stoney’s beer getting ready to go on a big hunt.
To the Gorgacz family, my heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Dorothy, for years I watched how dedicated he was to you going through your illnesses. I was your respiratory therapist. He was always cheerful and had a hilarious joke to tell. I’ll never forget how devoted he was to you. Such a nice guy. I’m so sorry for your loss.