TRENTON – The Rev. Peter Paul Gorham, 82, died Sept. 14, 2009, surrounded by special friends and family at a Bangor hospital. He was born June 10, 1927, in Portland, the son of Peter B. and Annie M. (Greene) Gorham. He attended Cathedral Grammar School and Cheverus High School, Portland, graduating in 1945. He then attended St. Thomas Seminary in Connecticut, and St. John’s Seminary, Brighton, Mass. His assignments as assistant were St. Joseph’s Parish, Gardiner; St. Dominic’s Parish, Portland; St. Joseph’s Parish, Waterville; and St. Mary’s Parish, Bangor; temporary administrator of Saint Denis, Fort Fairfield; pastor at Sacred Heart Parish, Lubec; and pastor at St. Joseph’s Parish, Ellsworth, retiring after 18 years of service. Father Peter devoted his ministry to social services. He was a co-founder of Regional Medical Center, Lubec. He and Mary Anderson were co-founders of Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, and he was a strong supporter of Open Door Recovery Center, both of Ellsworth. Father Peter is survived by his sister, Ann Besier and husband, Arnold, of Harpswell; brother, Francis Gorham of Portland; special nephews, Peter and Stephen; nephews, John, Lorne, Martin, Kevin and Shawn; niece, Mary; and special friends, Julie B. Deyone, Melanie J. McGrath and husband, Dennis, all of Bangor, and Linda A. Morin of Trenton. He was predeceased by sisters, Catherine P. Macdonald and Mary Gorham; brothers, the Rev. John H. Gorham, M.M., and Joseph Gorham; and special friends, Joseph and Gloria Cormier and Mary Anderson. Family and friends thank of Eastern Maine Medical Center Grant 1 Intensive Care Unit for the excellent care Father Peter received, and a special thanks to Jeff Beal, R.N. Friends are invited to call 2-4 or 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, at Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 231 Main St., Ellsworth, with Father Scott Mower, celebrant. Interment will be held 3 p.m. at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Bangor. Contributions in Father Peter’s memory may be made to Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, P.O. Box 145, Ellsworth, ME 04605; Open Door Recovery Center, P.O. Box 958, Ellsworth, ME 04605; or St. Joseph Catholic Church, 231 Main St., Ellsworth, ME 04605. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.
REV. PETER PAUL GORHAM
