Adrian Gorzkowski:

March 8, 1984 - September 5, 2002

Oakland Strokes Mourn Passing of Alumnus Adrian Gorzkowski

By now, nearly everyone in the Oakland Strokes community has heard of the untimely death last week of Adrian Gorzkowski, who rowed with the Strokes for two years and finished this past season as 3 seat on the men's varsity boat. Adrian was getting ready to attend the University of California at San Diego. His sudden passing has been a great shock to us all, and we feel utterly terrible for his parents and family, who somehow must bear his loss.

Everyone who knew him--coaches, teammates and their parents alike--treasured Adrian dearly as a friend and as a positive, kind, intelligent and hard working colleague. He always had a smile and a bright word for others. He found academics easy. Adrian truly respected and admired his coach, Dana Hooper, and he loved the Strokes as much as we loved him. His passing is a tremendous loss to our community and we all will miss him.

On Saturday, Dana, Beth Anderson and I visited with his mother, aunt and uncle to express our deepest sorrow and the commitment of the Oakland Strokes to support them during and after their time of grief. We requested that they let us know about their plans for a memorial service so that those of you who have expressed a desire to show their love of Adrian and support of his family can do so in that way. We will advise you as soon as we know any details.

Based on suggestions from many of our members and our own thoughts, we also offered concrete support of various kinds. Adrian's family, understandably, needs some time to consider their preferences, and they promised to let us know in the near future what they would like the Strokes to do.

Many of you have asked if you could make a financial contribution to show your support. To facilitate your generous offers, Lowry has asked our treasurer, Janet Tsuchiya, to establish an "Adrian Gorzkowski Memorial Fund" early next week. The use of the fund will be dictated by the family's wishes and will be overseen by the Oakland Strokes Board of Directors. Please send your contribution to:

Adrian Gorzkowski Memorial Fund

c/o Oakland Strokes

4096 Piedmont Avenue

PMB 308

Oakland, CA 94611

We also are creating a scrapbook for Adrian's parents. Please send words of appreciation, memories, stories and photographs to me (Will King, 210 Hillside Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94611) and I will see that they are included in the memory book.

Thanks to all Oakland Strokes families who have called or e-mailed to express their sadness. The Gorzkowski family deeply appreciates your thoughtfulness, and you have demonstrated anew why this community is so special.