Deacon James Gore

NORMAL — A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 13, at Epiphany Church here for Deacon James J. Gore, a permanent deacon who formerly served Holy Trinity Parish in Bloomington until being granted senior status in 2013.

Deacon Gore died on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, in Bloomington. He was 87.

Visitation is scheduled from 9 to 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday at Epiphany Church, 1000 E. College Ave.

Msgr. Eric Powell and Msgr. Douglas Hennessy will concelebrate the Memorial Mass. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Normal.

Born Dec. 6, 1936, in Belleville to Alex L. and Lillian I. (Arnold) Gore, he married Marion Brem on Feb. 14, 1958, in Fairview Heights. They celebrated 65 years of marriage this year. Mrs. Gore died on June 6.

Deacon Gore served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam era, stationed in Hawaii and then Texas. He would later work in the insurance agency at The Hartford as well as Clemens and Associates.

He was instrumental in the founding of Homes of Hope Ministries, serving adults with intellectual disabilities, and the Miracle League of Central Illinois that provides opportunities for children with disabilities to play baseball. Deacon Gore also volunteered with the St. Vincent de Paul Society and Catholic Charities, among other organizations. He had a love of travel.

He was a member of the Diocese of Peoria’s seventh class of permanent deacons and was ordained by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, on May 18, 2002, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria. Deacon Gore was assigned to Holy Trinity Parish in Bloomington, and was very active in the Teens Encounter Christ and Cursillo communities.

He is survived by three daughters: Lisa Haas of Bloomington, Susan (Kevin) O’Reilly of Cape Coral, Florida, and Melissa (James) Frank of Normal; six grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a sister, Dolores Hughes.

Memorials may be directed to Homes of Hope in Normal.