Br. Mark Anthony Gorski O.P.

December 15, 1958 - September 22, 2016

Br. Mark Gorski died on Thursday, September 22nd after a long illness. He was born in Coupeville, WA to Leonard and Mildred (Reuble) Gorski. He entered the Order of Preachers in 1982 and received the Dominican habit on September 23, 1982. He made simple profession of vows on September 24, 1983 and solemn profession on June 4, 1988. He received a B.A. in Social Welfare from the University of Washington in 1981, and both a B.A. in Philosophy in 1985 and a M.Div. in Theology in 1989 from the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley, CA. Br. Mark was always proud to be a Dominican friar. He faithfully served as a cooperator brother at Holy Family Cathedral in Anchorage, St. Dominic Church in San Francisco and at St. Albert Priory in Oakland; ministering to the homeless, the poor and the neglected of society. Whether in Anchorage or in San Francisco, he could be found braving the roughest of neighborhoods during the day—and the night—to reach out to those on the fringes of society. Br. Mark was a people-person, who was bright, outgoing, and generous in spirit who loved life. He was always fearless and determined in all that he did—despite the adversity of his illness with all of its limitations. He understood well the meaning of personal suffering, but usually looked past it as he enjoyed the camaraderie of his Dominican brothers, his family, his countless friends and those whom he met in ministry. Br. Mark will be greatly missed—but will not be forgotten. He was preceded in death by his parents and his oldest brother, Leonard. He is survived by his brothers and their wives, Jim and Susan, Jon and Patty, Don and Mary Ann and numerous nieces & nephews and grandnieces & grandnephews. Services: Viewing (Thursday, Sept. 29, 7pm), Vigil (7:30pm) and Funeral Mass (Friday, Sept. 30, 9:30am) all at St. Albert’s Priory in Oakland. Burial immediately following at St. Dominic’s Cemetery in Benicia. To honor the memory of Br. Mark, gifts may be made securely online at opwest.org/brmarkmemorial in support of the education of Dominican brothers and priests.