by SUE SECONI
The sudden death of popular secondary school teacher Liam O’Gorman was received with disbelief and sadness throughout the Catholic school community in Wanganui.
Wanganui teacher Liam O’Gorman in his natural element, learning and passing on knowledge.
He leaves behind partner Insook Lee and children Ellen, Synnova, Shay and Gregor.
A natural academic and hugely intelligent, his speciality subjects were science, maths, physics and chemistry, majoring in biological chemistry.
Born in Dublin, Mr O’Gorman made his way to New Zealand, teaching at Rathkeale College in Masterton. Shifting to Wanganui, he became a foundation teacher when Cullinane College was formed in 2003 from the closures of Sacred Heart and St Augustine’s.
Many of his students, including years 7 and 8 who came from St Mary’s, St Anne’s and St Marcellin’s primary schools for technology classes, found his love of the sciences inspiring and infectious.
Many went on to study science at university because of his influence.
Mr O’Gorman was affectionately known as “Mr O.G.” on the college campus. His widow, Insook, hopes to
establish a fund in conjunction with the college to enable Maori students in particular to pursue science studies.
“Just prior to his death, Liam spoke to me about how impressed he was with the increased number of Maori taking science,” she said.
Mr O’Gorman’s requiem Mass was celebrated at St Mary’s Church by parish priest and college chaplain Fr Brian Carmine and was attended by senior students of Cullinane College.
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