Gordon Schorr, Bronze Star recipient
Schorr Gordon Schorr, 97, of Williamsville, died Sunday, May 12, 2013.
Mr. Schorr was born in Hamilton, Ontario, on Aug. 31, 1915, and moved to Buffalo at the age of 3. He dropped out of high school to work in order to feed his family, and at 17 was inducted into the Civilian Conservation Corps and given a squad to supervise. The squad fought forest fires and built trails and structures in Glacier National Park and the Everglades.
Already a member of the 174th Regiment of the New York State National Guard, at the start of World War II Mr. Schorr was promoted to Army staff sergeant at the Fort Bragg Field Artillery School in North Carolina.
Landing on Omaha Beach as part of the Normandy Invasion, he served in the 5th Rangers and later received the Bronze Star for his role as first sergeant in organizing the 9th Army Intelligence detachment under combat conditions.
While on leave, he married Jeanne Rugg, learning upon return from their honeymoon that the war had ended.
For a total of 33 years, both before and after the war, Mr. Schorr was employed by Grange League Federation and Agway.
Coming out of retirement numerous times, he was involved in diverse new projects, including real estate, chemical manufacturing and as comptroller of a nonprofit company assisting the elderly.
With the help of his friend, Stan Penkacik, a retired principal, Mr. Schorr received his high school diploma from Lockport High School at the age of 92.
Upon the death of his wife, he moved to Akron, Ohio, at the age of 95 to live with his son. Here he joined the Akron Research Foundation, where he actively mentored student groups and helped seek funding for early-stage startup companies with Akron ArchAngles Investment Network.
Mr. Schorr is survived by two daughters, Dr. Sandra and Suzanne; one son, Gordon; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one sister, Dorothy Schorr Freeman.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 2, at Faith United Church of Christ, 1300 Maple Road, Williamsville.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Buffalo.