84R15349 WG-D
By: Riddle H.R. No. 1260
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The life of a dedicated public servant drew to a
close with the passing of former Ponderosa Fire Department fire
chief John Peter O'Gorman on February 18, 2015, at the age of 72;
and
WHEREAS, A native of Hoboken, New Jersey, John O'Gorman was
born on November 30, 1942, to Arthur and Mary O'Gorman; he graduated
from the University of Notre Dame in 1964 and earned a master's
degree from Michigan State University the following year;
Mr. O'Gorman began his career with Shell Chemical in New York in
1966 and by the early 1970s had transferred to the company's Deer
Park facility; he served as emergency response coordinator there
from January 1981 until his retirement in December 1999; and
WHEREAS, John O'Gorman was committed to protecting and
serving his fellow citizens; a charter member of the Ponderosa Fire
Department, he held a number of important leadership positions
within the organization, including those of assistant chief,
training chief, and fire chief; he served in the latter capacity on
three occasions, from 1982 to 1985, 1994 to 1995, and 2000 to 2003;
moreover, he played an instrumental role in the establishment of
the PFD training facility as well as fire stations No. 2 and No. 3;
a valued mentor to a host of fellow firefighters, he retired from
the PFD in 2013 after four decades of dedicated service; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed gentleman additionally served for
many years as an instructor with the Texas A&M Engineering
Extension Service, sharing his skill and expertise with countless
students in its Municipal Fire School; Chief O'Gorman also helped
the Houston Fire Department to develop its HAZMAT Team, and he was a
charter member of the Hazardous Materials Committee of the
International Association of Fire Chiefs; and
WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, John O'Gorman enjoyed the love
and support of his wife, Elaine; he was the proud father of two
children, Elena and Patrick, and he knew the joy of welcoming two
grandchildren, Madeline and Mary, into his cherished family; and
WHEREAS, When not engaged in his family or professional
responsibilities, Chief O'Gorman delighted in woodworking,
collecting fire department patches, and cheering on his beloved
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team; he was also a valued
congregant of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in New
Braunfels; and
WHEREAS, Devoted to his family and his community, John
O'Gorman lived a caring and purposeful life, and he will forever be
remembered with great fondness and respect by his fellow
firefighters and by all who had the good fortune to know him; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of John Peter O'Gorman
and extend deepest sympathy to the members of his family: to his
wife, Mary Elaine Thelen-O'Gorman; to his children, Elena O'Gorman
and Patrick O'Gorman and his wife, Diane; to his grandchildren,
Madeline and Mary O'Gorman; and to his other relatives and many
friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of John Peter
O'Gorman.