Deacon Michael Joseph Gore found his eternal independence Tuesday, July 4, 2023. He passed peacefully at his home in Paris, Tennessee, with family at the age of 83.
Deacon Gore was born Thursday, August 10, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois. Mike was a passionate husband, father, teacher, coach, gardener, woodworker, debater, camper, creator, and servant to his faith.
Deacon Gore was a member of the U.S. Navy from 1962 to 1966 and worked as a machinist on the ships.
He was a skilled tool and die maker for over 40 years and worked at GTE in Chicago until he moved to Paris and then worked at several machine shops.
Mike and Carolyn were married on Saturday, July 15, 1967, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in River Forest, Illinois, and began their family in Oak Park, Illinois. In 1979, after camping at Piney Campground in Land Between the Lakes for many years, the family moved to Paris.
Deacon Gore was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church. He contributed to the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation) Program for many years before he began his deaconate journey. In March 2000, he was ordained as a Catholic deacon. He served in this capacity until his retirement in 2017. He and Carolyn led the marriage preparation program for the church and prepared many couples for sacramental marriage over the years. He also was a devoted minister to the sick and shut-ins and visited many nursing homes.
In addition to his wife Carolyn, Deacon Gore is survived by four children: Catherine Herrera (Ron Watkins), of Nashville, Tennessee, Jennifer (Jon) Walters, of Naperville, Illinois, Michael (Susan) Gore, of Clinton Township, Michigan, and Luke (Cheryl) Gore, of Wichita, Kansas; and 18 grandchildren: Carolyn Herrera, of Los Angeles, California, Anthony Herrera and Austin Herrera, of Nashville, Tennessee, Cassandra Herrera, of Franklin, Tennessee, Calista Herrera, of Nashville, Tennessee, Jon Michael Walters and Andrew Walters of Naperville, Illinois, Megan Walters, of Nashville, Tennessee, Luke Walters, Sarah Walters, and Anthony Walters, of Naperville, Illinois, Michael Gore, Evelyn Gore, David Gore, Josephine Gore, and Genevieve Gore, of Clinton Township, Michigan, and Bartholomew Gore and Christine Gore, of Wichita, Kansas; and one great-grandchild: Tennyson Williams, of Franklin, Tennessee. He is also survived by four siblings: Ginger Smith, of Orleans, Massachusetts, Barbara (Dan) Cook, of Chicago, Illinois, Georgette (Chuck) Deveney, of Navarre, Florida, and Kip (Kathy) Pasta, of Chicago, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents: George Gore and Lucille Pasta; his stepfather: Herman Pasta; and a brother: Gregory Gore.
Arrangements are being handled by Ridgeway Funeral Home, 201 Dunlap Street/PO Box 788, Paris, Tennessee, 38242.
Visitation will be Thursday, July 6, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Ridgeway Funeral Home, with the rosary beginning at 7:30 p.m. A funeral mass will be held Friday, July 7, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 1210 East Wood Street, Paris, Tennessee, 38242, with Rev. Martin Orjianioke and Rev. Monsignor Victor Ciaramitaro officiating,
He will be interned in the Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery at Parkers Crossroads, Tennessee. A chapel-side commitment service with military honors will be held Monday, July 10, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Tomorrow’s Hope Pregnancy Center, 211 N. Brewer Street, Paris, Tennessee, 38242 or to Holy Cross Catholic Church in Paris.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to those friends including the amazing staff at HCMC Hospice who helped as this journey came to a close.