George O’Gorman truly was one of a kind.
The longtime Trentonian sports writer died on Tuesday morning, his family said. He was 73.
Known simply as ‘Oge,’ O’Gorman was one of most well-known and respected voices in Mercer County sports.
“He was a mentor for me,” said Reggie Murray, who coached the Trenton Central High girls basketball team for 32 years. “He covered me in sports when I was in high school running around playing soccer or on the track. That meant so much. Then when I became coach, he was there covering, telling the stories and giving exposure our to our athletes and coaches.”
O’Gorman began at the Trentonian in 1976 and covered every state track & field championship dating back to 1976 and was on the New York Giants beat from 1978-2015.
O’Gorman was recently part of the inaugural Mercer County Basketball Hall of Fame Class.
He was a pioneer when it came to covering girls basketball.
“We were so happy to recognize him while he was still able to be there,” said former Allentown High coach Linda Weise, who is the chair of the Mercer County Basketball Hall of Fame. “He was an ambassador for girls basketball, a tireless worker with everything he provided the game here. It all started with George. He helped build interest level in the sport, and especially for girls at a time when it wasn’t necessarily the cool thing to do.”
“He was the best,” Murray said. “He was a pioneer in exposing girls basketball to the rest of the state. He meant so much to an area like ours. People knew about North and South Jersey, but not us. He was always there when I needed him.”
“Very sad news. (George O’Gorman) and Mercer County sports were synonymous for so long,” tweeted former Hopewell Valley coach Jeff Losch, who recently stepped down after 12 years on the sideline.
“Than you for all you did for our sports in (Mercer County), you will be missed!” tweeted Steinert coach Kristin Jacobs.
Thank you for all you did for our sports in MC, you will be missed! https://t.co/L5AiELQ4ve
– Kristin V Jacobs (@CoachKVJacobs) July 31, 2018
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
My first job was at The Trentonian, and George taught me what it was to work hard. He’d leave a field hockey game, go to a soccer game and come to the office to work the phones. Plus a kind kind man who never made a 22 year old recent grad feel like she didn’t belong. https://t.co/OwBsp32PtQ
– Dana O’Neil (@DanaONeilWriter) July 31, 2018
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
One of the all time greats. It was an honor to share a sideline with him https://t.co/wQBzCz9TqJ
– Tom Rimback, BCT (@RimbackBCT) July 31, 2018
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
An absolute legend in NJ media. He knew Mercer County better than any news or sports reporter. RIP OGE. https://t.co/j9igHEOqQA
– Brian Dzenis (@Brian_Dzenis) July 31, 2018
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
A generous man and Mercer County institution! https://t.co/wm5OEsTz4E
– Michael McGarry (@ACPressMcGarry) July 31, 2018
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Hamilton Twp. also presented the first annual George O’Gorman Trophy this past year, awarded to the high school among Hamilton, Nottingham and Steinert which performs the best in contests against each other throughout the school year.
“He had a tremendous impact on the sporting community and internally we refer to him as the father of girls sports,” Hamilton mayor Kelly Yaede said. “He covered girls sports when it first started to take off in the community and helped elevate women’s sports throughout the region. He will be greatly missed.”
O’Gorman also worked at the Times of Trenton and Burlington County Times before finding a permanent home at 600 Perry Street with the Trentonian.
In addition to his work on the track & field beat, he covered football, girls basketball, girls soccer and baseball all while moonlighting as a radio voice for WBCB.
He is a member of the New Jersey State Soccer Hall of Fame, the Mercer County Soccer Hall of Fame, the Mercer County Softball Hall of Fame and the Steinert High Athletic Hall of Fame.
“When you’ve spent 45 years in a job that never really felt like work you are a very lucky guy,” O’Gorman said at the time. “I’ve been that lucky guy. Reporting on high school athletics at Hamilton, Steinert and Nottingham has allowed me to compile so many great memories of friendships with coaches, student athletes and administrators who have remained close friends. It’s why five decades covering Hamilton’s three public schools has been a love – because of all the coaches and athletes who made it happen.”
O’Gorman is survived by his wife Eileen, daughter Emily, sister Teresa, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and best friend Frank Ragazzo.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, August 6, 2018, at 9:30 a.m., at St. Anthony’s Church, 626 S. Olden Avenue, Hamilton, NJ. (There will be no calling hours on Monday morning, and the family would appreciate friends go directly to church for Mass on Monday.)
Entombment will follow in St. Mary’s Mausoleum, Hamilton Twp., NJ.
Calling hours for family and friends will be on Sunday evening, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the Brenna Funeral Home, Immordino Chapel, 1799 Klockner Road, Hamilton, NJ 08619.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to Mooch Soccer, 25 Trellis Way, Robbinsville, NJ 08691.
John Berry contributed to this story
