Matthew Gorry

Matthew Gorry, 91 years old, died at home peacefully with his daughter, Susan Gorry, by his side. Matt lived many places growing up as the son of a Naval Officer, from Iona Island to Key West to San Pedro to Alexandria to Cuba, to name a few. He mastered the skill of frequently moving around and making friends. In 1971, Matt became a part of the Laguna Beach community. Locals might know him as the guy who walked the hill from the top of Arch Beach Heights down Summit to PCH and back, or as a member of the Over the Hill Gang in the slow pitch Softball league for 22 years, or as a devoted fan of Laguna Beach High School’s football, basketball, and baseball teams. Matt was proud to be a part of Skipper Carrillo’s Laguna Beach High School football team’s “chain gang” for over 25 years.

He was the son of William A. Gorry of Southington, CT and Margaret Walsh Gorry of San Pedro, CA and the grandson of Southern California’s distinguished yachtsmen, boat designer and builder Matt J. Walsh. Matt had two sisters Margaret Murphy and Dorothy Gorry. Matt was the family historian and a storyteller. As an eight-year-old in 1941, he clearly remembered the onset of World War II while living in Key West, FL. As a teenager living in White Sands Proving Grounds in New Mexico, multiple conversations with Charles Lindberg impressed upon him lessons that he would carry into his future work.

Matt graduated in 1952 from Gunnery School in Washington, CT and graduated in 1957 from Lehigh University with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He was proud of being “a good C student,” and being a problem-solver. Matt initially worked for Reaction Motor Inc. in Denville, NJ on components for X-15, Atlas and prepackaged liquid rocket systems. Then at Aerojet General Corporation in Sacramento, CA, he worked on components for Titan Engine systems and the Gimbal actuator for the third stage rocket engine in the Apollo Program. After the successful Apollo moon landing in 1969, Matt moved on to cofound an electroplating company. In 1975 he joined the Fluor Corporation, staying there for 24 years. Matt was a versatile mechanical engineer working on numerous projects including coal gasification, chemical petrochemical refineries, pump stations in Alaska, even modifying the Skippy Peanut Butter facilities in L.A. Matt received a Mechanical Engineering master’s degree from Cal-Poly Pomona, and a California Professional Mechanical Engineering License. While at Flour, Matt gained extensive experience in all processes of water desalination, ion-exchange, RO, electro dialysis, and multi-stage distillation systems.

When Matt first moved to Orange County in 1965, he became an active member of the 20/30 Club and Orange County Ski Club. During these adventures he made lifelong friends and met his wife, Joanie Walp Gorry. He was a devoted family man, creating many wonderful memories and experiences with his wife, daughter, nieces, nephews, and friends such as going on camping and skiing trips. Matt and Joanie also famously hosted many parties ranging from dinners with the gourmet club to annual Christmas brunches and Christmas Eve dinners. Each gathering was always filled with joyous laughter and memories. Matt and his daughter have continued these experiences together since the death of his wife Joanie in 1993. An avid skier, Matt hit the slopes up to 70 days a year in his 70’s with passes in Mammoth and Aspen. Matt continued to be a caregiver for his Great Aunt Helen and his mother, often visiting the other occupants of the nursing homes they lived in. He was always willing to engage in a conversation to learn about others.

Matt created a community in every place he graced. During his time at Fluor, when a new employee would join, he would spend a couple hours showing them around, as he knew what it was like to be the new person. After retirement in 1998, Matt didn’t want to sleep in so he started going to daily 8:00 am mass at St. Catherine of Sienna. He found he could help his new friends in a variety of ways, including providing rides to church and doctors’ visits, or attending local games. Matt was happy to help bring Skipper Carrillo to Laguna Beach High School football, basketball, and baseball games. Skipper named him The Duke, after Duke Snider of the Dodgers. Matt recently shared he missed the community tables at restaurants, as he really enjoyed talking to any person near him. He made friends everywhere, during a hot chocolate break while skiing at Mammoth, or on the Laguna Beach boardwalk. Matt wanted to thank everyone at Adolfo’s for the wonderful food and service over the years.

Matt was devoted to helping others and making them feel welcome. Even while in hospice he found ways to make meaningful conversations and connections with family and friends via FaceTime, the phone, or in person. These visits were filled with stories, laughter, gratitude, and some ended with tears. Matt’s example of entering the last portion of his life with deep faith and sharing life-long connections with family and friends was a gift. Matt wanted to thank all the nice, wonderful people he has been associated with. He loved all of you.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, March 16 at 11:00 am at St. Catherine of Siena in Laguna Beach, CA. Following the service, family and friends are welcome to gather at his home. In lieu of flowers, Matt asked for you to donate to the organization of your choice, selecting something you feel embodies Matt’s spirit or passion of helping others.