John W. Gorman

John W. Gorman died February 10, 2008 at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston after a lengthy illness.  John was born in Rockford, Illinois on May 6, 1950, to Donald E. and Mary Virginia (Doyle) Gorman.  He graduated from Boylan Central Catholic High School and Harvard University.  While still a student at Harvard, John and several classmates formed Cambridge Survey Research, a political polling firm which gained national attention for its surveys and research on behalf of George McGovern in 1972 and Jimmy Carter in 1976 and 1980.  He spent his entire career in the field of political polling and market research.  At the time of his death, John was CEO of Opinion Dynamics Corporation and lead pollster for Fox News Channel.  Since 1996, John was a part of the Election Night Decision Team at Fox and was responsible for projecting election outcomes for Fox.  Despite his illness, John participated in the Fox News coverage of both the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primaries in January of this year.   John enjoyed classical music and served on the Board of Governors of Bostons Handel and Haydn Society for 10 years.  He also served on the board of the Boston Center for the Arts and chaired that board for eight years.  John is survived by his mother, sisters Mary P. Gorman, Martha A. (Michael) Hogan and Kathleen S. Gorman, brother James P. (Lynn) Gorman and nieces and nephews, Colleen, Patrick, Erin, Mary Kate, Andrei and Rachael.  He was predeceased by his father.    A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 14, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at The Memorial Church, 1 Harvard Yard, Cambridge, MA.   A memorial servie was held on Friday, March 14, 2008 at 2:00pm at The Memorial Church, 1 harvard Yard, Cambridge, MA. Burial and grave side service will be Saturday, April 5, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary/St. James Cemetery, Rockford. IL. with Rev. William E. Wentink officiating. Donations in Johns memory may be made to the Handel and Haydn Society, Boston, MA.; URI Hunger Center, Ranger Hall, Kingston RI 02881; Crusader Health Foundation, 1200 West State Street, Rockford, IL. 61102; or a charity of donors choice.  The family was assisted by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 N. Rockton Ave. Rockford, IL  61103. To extend condolences online please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com.