Louis N. “Pal” Gorat
July 18, 1929 – January 26, 2022
Louis “Pal” Nunzio Gorat of Omaha, Nebraska passed away on Wednesday January, 26th at the age of 92. After several months of declining health, Pal died peacefully in his sleep. Pal is preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Nettie Gorat, his wife Shirley Gorat, his son Mark Gorat, and his daughter Debi Branecki. Survived by his daughter Pamela Kenney (Bernie), 8 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and many loving nieces and nephews.
Pal was born on July 18, 1929 to father Louis Gorat and mother Nettie Gorat. A lifelong resident of Omaha, Pal took great pride in raising his family and growing the family business, Gorat’s Steakhouse. Pal and Shirley were married and had their first son, Mark in 1953, Debi in 1955, and Pamela in 1959. According to Pal, family was something to cherish and that was evidenced by the funny nicknames he gave to his kids and grandchildren such as Boompy, Skilly Rilly, and Zacharino Hornblower! Every Sunday you would find the family gathering for a large Italian dinner at Pal’s house that usually ended with his grandkids dancing in the living room to him playing the piano.
Dedication and hard work were words that were important to Pal. He was a stern leader who ran a tight ship. From cleaning the floors to schmoozing with customers, there wasn’t a job at Gorat’s that he didn’t do. That is not to say he didn’t have his fair share of fun! If you were lucky, you might have found yourself in the lounge at Gorat’s on a night that Pal himself decided to entertain guests by tickling the ivories well into the night! Musical talent runs deep in the Gorat’s blood!
Pal’s social life was as rich as his family and work life. Throughout his years there were MANY rounds of golf played in town at Happy Hollow Country Club with his best friends followed by some intense card games. Winters were spent in the sunshine at his house in Palm Springs California where even more rounds of golf were played with his buddies at Bermuda Dunes Country Club. He lived a full life of love and dedication.
People wishing to honor Pal’s lifelong commitment to his family and community can make donations to the Juvenile Diabetes Association (www.jdrf.org) or the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).
CELEBRATION OF LIFE for Louis “Pal” Gorat and his daughter, Pamela Kenney: Sunday, May 15th beginning at 3pm at the West Center Chapel, with Reflections by Fr. Tom Fangman at 3:30pm. To view a live broadcast of the Celebration of Life, please go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Cast” button on the home page.
5 Comments
To Pals family and friends my thoughts and prayers are with you. He will be missed by many. If I could share a fond memory – When I would visit Pal and Shirley, I could get Pal to play his piano a could of times. It was a memory I will never forget. Both were very special people.
So very sorry for your loss. Pal was a very goof friend of mine. Will always remember golf and peppers !
We love you all and send prayers for healing. Two of God’s gifts return to heaven. So many memories of seeing our Dad’s good friend and sweet Pam. Love you Bernie. Jeff and Maria Sauvageau
My sincere condolences to the family Pal was my friend and employer. The Gorats we’re great to me and gave me the tools in life to succeed. I was a busboy for them from 1962 threw 1965 loved every minute of it.
We dined at Gorat’s during a visit to Omaha this week and I was saddened to learn of Pal’s death three years ago. I did not know. I had met Pal and Shirley in 2009 at a Berkshire Hathaway event. Gorat’s was so packed, the reservations were running an hour or two behind. While waiting at a picnic table out in the parking lot, a couple with a sack of PB&J sandwiches came along and sat next to me. It was Pal and Shirley. They said they knew the restaurant would be a madhouse and that’s why they brought the sandwiches as a snack. I turned down their kind PB&J offer but I did gladly accept a dirty martini or two that Pal went and got for me. And we talked for quite a long while. So, that’s how I first met Pal and Shirley, They were good people and I’m sorry to learn that they are gone. Belated condolences.
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