Robert “Blackie” Gorecki
Robert “Bob” or “Blackie” Gorecki, age 94; beloved husband of Donna; loving father of Matt (wife Loretta) and Jon (wife Amy); cherished grandfather of Randall, Sammie and Heaven. Bob was the last of three brothers (Charley, Bob & Jerry) to pass away on July 6th, 2022.
All three brothers were raised by their single mom, Julia, in the City of Chicago near the area of 18th Street & Ashland Avenue, during the Great Depression. Bob served an active-duty enlistment in the U.S. Navy toward the end of World War II. In 1951, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, was subsequently deployed to Korea as an infantryman and became a recipient of the Purple Heart medal for wounds he suffered in combat. After Korea, he reenlisted in the Naval Reserves and served as an Intelligence Officer for another 20 years.
In 1955 Bob met his wife, Donna, and together, they had two sons, Matthew and Jonathan. Also in 1955, he became a Chicago Police officer and served as a patrolman then detective for 13 years. In 1968, he left the Chicago Police Department to be sworn in as a Special Agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF), United States Department of the Treasury, where he served for 20 years. In 1988, his oldest son, Matthew, became an ATF Special Agent and was issued the same badge Bob carried for 20 years, #0092.
Although Bob will be missed terribly, Camp Gorecki is now stronger because he is on “overwatch”. Rest easy Bob!
Visitation 9am until time of service, 12pm on Monday, July 11th, 2022 at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside. Interment private. Funeral information: (708) 352-6500
A sensational uncle, we will miss you. God speed uncle Bob. Love you , Charlie and Pam
The passing of such a wonderful man is a loss to all the people that knew him. He was a genuine, kind, warm and loving man who will be missed by family and friends. We were honored to know him and his beautiful wife. May God be with the family at this time of need, may they know how much we truly loved Bob Gorecki. We know he is in a better place watching over us.
Love Emil and Elizabeth Engelman
What a wonderful guy. For many years Blackie supported the Y Men’s Club during the annual Christmas Tree sale. Blackie was our cook and satisfied many ‘tree guys’ with his mastery of the old Weber grills we had on hand. He commanded those grills cooking brats and hamburgers for about thirty hungry tree ‘unloaders’. . When the time came to pass on the cooking responsibility Blackie would come by to ensure all was prepared up to his satisfaction. Always with that great smile on his face. For years after his retirement from the ‘tree lot’ Blackie would occasionally meet with his fellow retired ‘tree guys’ for breakfast and reminisce about the great times we all shared. Blackie always had incredible stories of his past accomplishments, always a treat for each of us. I feel very blessed that I got to know Blackie and was able to have the times we had together.
God bless the entire Gorecki family.
Bob was always kind, considerate, and the cosumate gentleman. I don’t think I’ve ever met a man who was so well liked by everyone. I enjoyed working with Bob for many years. I know he will be missed by his family and friends.
I met Bob at the start of my ATF career and was so blessed to see him again this past May. He was a true American hero, serving this country in so many ways. God bless you, Bob. Enjoy a well deserved rest with the Lord.
I met Bob at Naval Air Station Glenview back in the early 80’s while in the Navy. We soon discovered we lived only a few blocks from each other, and from that point on he was a great friend, like a big brother to me. Bob was a guy who always looked 20 years younger than his age, and he had the energy of someone 30 or more years younger than that!
He had a tremendous sense of humor, was a great athlete and fierce competitor, but was also a loving, charming, caring guy, who was always about family, and always interested how your family was doing. I am so fortunate to have known him and spent some great times with him.
Bob was my partner with ATF in Chicago and by far the best ATF Special Agent I worked with there combating crime. Where ever we traveled, Bob was the person who always lit up the room upon entry with his smile. He was a diplomat’s diplomat and got us out of even the most stressful of situations. Society has lost a true American Hero, a father, a husband, and will be missed by many friends and loved ones. My deepest condolences to Donna and family. God Bless Bob Gorecki, the consummate Peacekeeper, who will assuredly inherit the earth.
Bob greeted me on the first day at ATF and helped through the hoop jumping associated that first day. Over the years I found him not to be a complicated guy but a genuine what you see is what you get great human being, for that I feel grateful to have met him. I would like to offer my condolences to the Bob’s family of as well as his friends. Somewhere I read someone wrote about that Bob was now on overwatch, we are all lucky to have him there. Most sincerely,
Bob was a wonderful person who was a joy to be around.
Fine Navy member who always delivered requested miracles, and a great guy to have on the team in any unit. Served with him in Hawaii and aboard NAS Glenview. Very personable, and always had a story to share with all.
Everyone should be lucky enough to have known a man like Bob who always greeted me with a hug and sometimes a kiss on the cheek!
It was always a treat when he stopped by for a visit (my wife and Blackie worked together for many years) to catch up on the latest. We’re sad knowing that we won’t be seeing that beaming smile or hear that cantankerous laugh…for awhile.
Blessings to Donna and the boys and their families. 🙏🏼
Blackie ( uncle Bob) you were a treasure and will be missed dearly . You helped me in so
Many ways and the wonderful crazy times we all had with you are forever etched in my heart and mind
See you again Blackie ! Your the best and always will be . Love you Chris k