Francis R. Gorst

To the Gorst family, my sincere condolences to you. We loved your father, thought that he was so cool that we called him Fonz. He looked after me and two others from CP at Kromery middle school. Fonz was our umpire for our softball games at Baer Park. Being a catcher, he and I had a bond like no other. His heart was full of love, and I am already missing him. RIP Fonz, forever cool.

I have many fond memories made playing at the Gorst house. Fran and Pat put up with all the neighborhood kids playing in their yard. I wish the whole family peace at this difficult time. Margie Andreas Rem

Francis was a big part of my youth baseball experience. He was always willing to help my dad as we started playing in Pine Bluff and eventually started the Mount Horeb program. I’m very appreciative of all that he did for youth baseball programs in the area. I’m sorry for your loss and wish you all well as you celebrate this really remarkable man.

For anyone gifted enough to play baseball for Fran in our youth, every single ball field a small town Norman Rockwell painting in the 60's, he was like having a second Dad in the dugout. My condolences to Fran's family and friends. Mike Frank

Francis was our head custodian at Sauk Trail School and such an important part of our Sauk Trail Family. I think I can safely say we all loved him dearly. When I took my children with me to work in my classroom, Francis would give them each a cookie or buy them a soda. That was a big deal to them, and I so appreciated his caring attention to my kids who were growing up without a dad. He warmed our hearts. RIP,, Francis. --Deb Nicholson Elvidge