Gunnar W. Zorn, Jr.
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Gunnar W. Zorn, Jr., 81, of Sadsburyville, passed away on Monday, October 4, 2010, at Brandywine Hospital, surrounded by his family. He was the loving husband of Barbara Morris Zorn, with whom he enjoyed 59 years of marriage.
Born and raised in Baltimore, MD, he was the oldest son of Gunnar W. Zorn, Sr. and Eva R. Sundvall Zorn.
After public schools, he attended Susquehanna University where he met and married Barbara. He was later drafted and sent to Korea as a single side-band radio operator. Upon returning from overseas, he attended the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and the University of Pennsylvania, followed by an exhibit of his paintings at the Chester County Art Association.
After a few years as a reporter at the former Coatesville Record, he was hired by G.O. Carlson, Inc., where he spent 30 years, both as Advertising Manager and Manager of Personnel & Industrial Relations. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Penn Valley Savings Association and the Chester County Mutual Insurance Co. He was also elected to serve six years on the Coatesville Area School Board in addition to numerous volunteer years with the Coatesville United Way.
Gunner was a longtime member of Upper Octorara Presbyterian Church, Parkesburg, where he served as a Deacon and Elder. He spent many years as a Scout & Cubmaster of Troop 54 and other BSA activities at the church, and coached young men for numerous years in the old Parkesburg Church
He is survived, in addition to his wife, by a daughter, Kathryn S. Jones, wife of David Jones of Ramsey, NJ, and a son, Dr. Gunnar W. Zorn III, husband of Dr. Pamela Zorn of Berlin, MD, seven grandchildren, Sarah Jones Simmer, wife of Colin Simmer, Amanda Jones, Emily Jones, Zachary Jones, Ivan Zorn, Devon Zorn, and Erik Zorn. He was preceded in death by his brother, Richard A. Zorn.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 8, 2010 at 2:00 pm from the Upper Octorara Presbyterian Church, 1121 Octorara Trail, Parkesburg, PA, 19365 followed by interment in the adjoining cemetery. Visitation at the church from 12:30 pm to the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Upper Octorara Presbyterian Church, at the above address.
Services have been entrusted to the Wilde Funeral Home of Parkesburg. Online condolences can be posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com
Condolences
Barbara, Gunnar's friend,
Barbara, Gunnar's friend, Jack McCarter, also my friend, phoned to tell me of Gunnar's passing. I am so glad I contacted Gunner recently when I remembered our two families crossing paths years ago. Memories like these are treasured. My condolences to you and your family........Bill Drake
Rest In Peace Uncle Gunnar
You were a tall man among men. One who always had a kind word, a hug & kiss and a piece of hard candy in your pocket for any child (or adult) that asked. You watched me grow in my formative years and continued to look out for me as I became an adult. I always loved "sneaking" upstairs to visit as a child or seeing you in church. I will treasure the love you gave me always and miss you greatly, but know you will be looking out for all of the "Babes of the State Arms".
Condolences to your Aunt Barbara, Gunnar, Kathy and the rest of the family. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
"Jenny"
We will miss him
Gunnar was a friendly face and a treasured neighbor to many of us in Sadsbury over the years. Donn and I were so fond of Gunnar's liveliness, sense of humor, and intelligence, and we always enjoyed chance meetings with him at the local Post Office. His many years of giving back to his community made Sadsbury a better place. We will miss him.
Our condolences to his wife Barbara and his family.
Victoria Horan and Donn Roberts
Dear Zorn Family, I was
Dear Zorn Family, I was sadden to read of Mr. Zorns passing. My father, Don Allan, worked at G.O. Carlson for over thirty years. During this time
he always held Gunnar in the highest regard. When visiting the plant my father always told us that Gunnar always made time to stop and say hi to him. When my father retired he visited Spain and Portugal a number of times and he always had me drop off some little gift to him upon his return. I shall say a prayer for him. Sincerely yours, Fred Allan
memories
My deepest sympathies Barb, to you and your family. I always enjoyed Gunnar. I was always inspired by Gunnar's paintings. I will never forget him.
I had the pleasure of knowing
I had the pleasure of knowing Gunnar for several years as we served together on the Chester County Mutual Insurance Company Board. My Sincere condolences to his family and friends. Steve Murphy
A Great Loss
I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Gunnar. I always looked up to him , He was a true Gentleman and someone I admired , he always had a Smile and a Kind word and will be sorely missed. Barb, You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers, God Bless.
A great loss
We were so sad to read of Mr. Zorn's passing. Our father had worked at G.O. Carlson, and he always looked forward to talking to Mr. Zorn. And some of us also had the pleasure of meeting him. He was a very friendly and kind man, and his passing is a great loss. Our condolences to his wife Barbara and his family.
Sincerely, Edward & Betty Nikodemski family
I Will Miss You, Uncle Gunnar
I never tired of hearing Uncle Gunnar tell the tale of my hard hat and riding boots, and hearing him chuckle as he recalled every detail. He always knew how to make each person he ever met feel like the most special person on the planet. David had Uncle Gunnar pegged when he observed that our 4th of Julys were like a Normal Rockwell painting. The memories will live on forever, as he will always be in our hearts and souls. Aunt Barbara, Kate and Gunnar, your Roanoke family has held you deep in our thoughts and prayers this day. Heaven, we know, just got a little bit sweeter. All of our love,
Carol, David, Mariah, Luke and Jared
Gunnar
Barbara, I am so sorry to hear of Gunnar's passing. I immediately went to a pen and ink he did of Octorara Church for my mother to give to me that is hanging in my dining room. It does not seem possible that it is 59 years since you were married - I actually remember that (does that make me old??).
Interestingly, the way I found out about Gunnar was that I was on the Daily Local website to find out how to list Betty Lou Hanlon's obit. You might remember that her family owned Thorndale Greenhouses and she was my best friend in high school. We have always kept in touch and made many trips together in the past 10-15 years but she died of lung cancer 9/27 in Houston.
Again, please accept my sympathy to you and the family.
Farewell Fellow Artist
Dear Mrs. Zorn and Family,
I apologize for the lateness of this notice, but I was away and came back to see that Gunnar had left us all. Deb and I were so sad. He will always be remembered by both of us for the generosity of donating to us and our organization Coatesville Area Arts Alliance (C3A) the TBS classic film collection he named in honor of my dearly departed Dad, Ted Layton. It is appropriate because they were both equally great, intelligent men with a humor and spirit, who will be inspiring to the rest of us. They are a dying breed and we hope to do them honor while living in their shadow. Deb and I think of him every time we have a "Friday Night Date" to watch one of those wonderful movies. I always enjoyed seeing him out on his mower when passing your home, keeping the property so beautiful.
In Sorrow,
Greg and Deb
Our american cousin
We were so sad to hear about Gunnar´s passing. He will always be remembered by his relatives in Sweden and we treasure the memories from the few times we met. His kindness and wonderfull sense of humor will always have a special place in our hearts.
Our condolences to Barbara and family.
Sincerely
Ingrid, Brita, Birgitta
Margareta, Kerstin, Maria, Carin, Jonas
with families.
From the Rosenquist Family
Our love and prayers to the whole Zorn family. We are going to miss you Uncle Gunnar may you rest in Peace …
Love and Greetings from the Gunnar`s cousin in Sweden/Europe
Arne Rosenquist , Kerstin Rosenquist , Lars Rosenquist, Lorie, Mark and Kait Rosenqui