Memorials

Huntingtown - David Darling, age 53, of Huntingtown, Maryland died Sunday, Jan 30, 2022 with his loving family by his side. He passed from Signet-ring Cell Carcinoma (stomach). Funeral services was held early viewing starting at 9:30 Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022 with mass service at 11:30 at Jesus the Divine Word in Huntingtown, MD. Burial followed at Jesus the Good Shepherd in Owings, Maryland. David was born January 14, 1969, and brought up in Clifton Springs, New York. The son of Jean Mattoon and Clarence Darling. He lived in Huntingtown Maryland with his wife Alice Troncone Darling, married for 30 years. He worked as an Environmental Engineer after graduating from Syracuse University. David was a Vice President of Health, Safety & Environmental Affairs at American Coatings Association based in Washington, DC. He loved to travel and work in his garden. He will be remembered by his loving family, with daughter Angelina Jean Darling and son John Carl Darling. His surviving siblings of Clifton Springs, New York are Richard, Michael, Bob, Ron, Barbara, Deborah, Sue and Kris.

Robert M. Hirschberg, Sr. “Bob” of Huntingtown, MD, died on September 21, 2020 at the age of 90. Born in Brooklyn, NY, Bob was the son of Jean Spina Hirschberg and Joseph Hirschberg. Devoted father of Robert M. Hirschberg, Jr. and his wife Linda Hirschberg, Phyllis Harris, John S. Hirschberg and Michael J. Hirschberg and his wife Melissa Hirschberg; loving grandfather of Mark Hirschberg, Betty Hedrick and her husband Mike Hedrick, Megan Aswegan and her husband Kris Aswegan, John Hirschberg II, Kiki Tolias, Diana Sullivan and her husband Tyler Sullivan, Ricky Harris, Christopher Hirschberg; dear great-grandfather of Bryton Aswegan, Christopher Hedrick, Tommy Hedrick, Hayley Hirschberg, Averie Lockhart, Jaila Deem, Jason Garris, John Hirschberg III and Jaelyn Hirschberg. In addition to his wife, the late Edna Williams Hirschberg, Bob was also predeceased by his parents and his grand-daughter, the late Jessica Hirschberg. Bob was in the Air Force for 20 years and was a devout Catholic who was extremely active in his church, Jesus the Divine Word Catholic Church. He was an avid fisherman who loved to be on the water fishing. The family received friends at Jesus the Divine Word Catholic Church, 885 Cox Road, Huntingtown, MD 20639 on Friday, October 9, 2020 from 10:00 – 11:00 am where a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11:00 am. Interment followed at Maryland Veterans Cemetery, 11301 Crain Highway, Cheltenham, MD 20623.

Sigmund Albert Gorski, Jr., of Huntingtown, MD, passed away on Friday, April 13, 2018, at the age of 70. Sigmund was born in New Brunswick, NJ on October 9, 1947. He was the oldest of three children born to Sigmund and Nellie [Kanoy] Gorski. The family moved to Greensboro, NC when Sigmund, Jr. was an infant. He graduated from Guilford College in Greensboro in 1969 with a BS degree in biology, chemistry, and physics. In August, 1969, he joined the faculty of Queen Anne School, a college preparatory school in Upper Marlboro, MD, as the Chair of the Science Department and remained there in various instructional and leadership capacities for nearly 40 years. In 1971, he married Jimmie Danner of Winston-Salem, NC, whom he met while both were in college. The couple lived briefly in Landover, MD, before moving to Bowie, MD. In 1979, they moved to Huntingtown, MD and had one son, Sigmund Albert Gorski, III “Al” in 1990. Frequently seen as a visionary by his colleagues in the sciences at the secondary and college levels, Sigmund, Jr., created interdisciplinary courses and integrated the latest technology into science courses in his department and in those around Maryland. The curricula he developed in ecology were recognized by the State of Maryland, as well as the Association of Independent Maryland Schools. For his work as the State Science Fair Coordinator, he received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the late Gladys Spellman, Member of Congress. Sigmund, Jr., achieved two Master’s Degrees in Science Education and in Technology from the University of Maryland, College Park. He also attended and presented at numerous state and national professional conferences. He was selected for the Martin Marietta Graduate Fellows Program, a partnership of business, industry, and education, and went on to serve on the advisory board for the program. His next venture was working for a federal contractor. He was fortunate to join JMA Solutions in 2011 and worked there for seven years in various capacities including project manager and Facility Security Officer. He made many friends at the company and developed skills and expertise in areas new to him. He considered himself very fortunate to be a part of the JMA family. Sigmund ,Jr., was a man of many interests and many gifts. His nature photography won awards in both local and national contests. He was a spectator of many sports and a player and coach of baseball and soccer. When his son, Al, became interested in scouting, Sigmund’s own interest was rekindled from his earlier days as a scout. He drew a great deal of pleasure from his years as an Assistant Scout Master for Troop 903 in Huntingtown as he worked with others to help boys in the troop achieve their goals in scouting. In 2009, he received the Western Shore District Service Award from the National Capital Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. As Chair of the Citizens’ Advisory Board on Natural Resources for Calvert County, the decisions of his committee were used to advance an understanding of the importance of conservation. On the board, he met Alan Hayes, who became a longtime friend. Together the two created Volanz Aerospace, a non-profit corporation formed to provide space science and space-related high technology education and research opportunities. Volanz was recognized by NASA for the execution of the Astronaut Glove Challenge during NASA’s Centennial Challenges. Spaceflight Institute, an intensive program of learning, confidence building, and teamwork within a space motif, was designed by Volanz for students with a high interest in space exploration. In 2014, a crowning achievement was the opening of the Spaceflight Museum, specializing in manned spaceflight operations, at the Arthur Storer Planetarium in Prince Frederick, MD. With the Spaceflight America Museum open and operational, in 2015, Sigmund, Jr., embarked on yet another venture, Spaceman Productions, LLC with friend and colleague Alan Hayes. At Spaceman, with Sigmund, Jr., serving as one of the executive producers and chief video editor, the team produced shows for Amazon and NBC. The current program “Weeknight”, a talk variety show, will be filmed in Calvert County on April 28, 2018, and will be shown later this summer. Sigmund, Jr., is survived by his wife, Jimmie Gorski, of Huntingtown, MD, and son Al of Durham, NC; two sisters: Susan Marks (Darrell) of Pinehurst, NC and Kathy Parcell (Jerry) of Clemmons, NC; nieces Kelly [Marks] Russell (Terrell) of Chapel Hill, NC and Corey Deese (Joshua) of Pembroke, NC and nephew, Jason Parcell (Vickie) of Clemmons, NC; uncle, Jack Kanoy (Harriett) of Greensboro, NC and an aunt, Katherine Snyder of Richmond, VA, as well as by many cousins. A loving husband, father, son, brother, nephew, and uncle; a dedicated and innovative educator; a concerned and vocal citizen; and a steadfast friend, Sigmund Gorski, Jr., remained a devout Christian throughout his life, loyal to his Catholic faith. His family invited friends to Lee Funeral Home Calvert, 8200 Jennifer Lane, Owings, MD 20736, on Friday, April 20, from 3 to 5 and 6 to 8:00 pm. At 7 pm a Prayer Service and Knights of Columbus Service was held. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday, April 21, at 11:00 am at Jesus the Divine Word, 885 Cox Road, Huntingtown, MD 20639. Inurnment followed at the Jesus the Good Shepard Cemetery, 1601 W. Mt. Harmony Road, Owings, MD. 

Thomas L. “Tom” Sydnor of Huntingtown, MD, passed away on Saturday, July 14, 2018, at the age of 69. Tom was born on June 7, 1949, in Baltimore, MD, to Mary [Moylan] and Roland Louis Sydnor. He was the beloved husband of Sandra A. [Havran] Sydnor. On June 12, 2018, they celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary. Tom graduated from the Naval Academy in 1971. A veteran of the United States Navy, he retired in 1996 as a Captain. He then worked as an engineer for Baltimore Gas & Electric. He enjoyed all types of sports. He loved coaching and teaching kids about them. He was a very active member of Jesus the Divine Word Catholic Church in Huntingtown, MD. Spending time with his family brought him great joy. Along with his wife and mother, Tom is survived by his children – Tom L. Sydnor, Jr., (Rebecca), Deborah Michelle Pickering (Stephen), Dan G. Sydnor and Nicholas B. Sydnor. He was the devoted grandfather of Dean, Lindsey, Grace and Claire. He is also survived my numerous other family and friends. Family invited friends to Lee Funeral Home Calvert, 8200 Jennifer Lane, Owings, MD 20736 on Thursday, July 19 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, July 20 at 11 am at Jesus the Divine Word Catholic Church, 885 Cox Road, Huntingtown, MD. Interment was at Arlington National Cemetery.

Paul Richard Rhodes, age 73, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home in Huntingtown, MD on April 24, 2022. Paul was born on November 8, 1948 in DuBois, PA, and was a 1966 graduate of Punxsutawney Area High School.  He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Master’s degree in Administration and Supervision from Bowie State University.  Paul moved to Maryland in 1970 at the age of 21 to begin his career in education.  He worked in the Calvert County Public School System for 38 years as a teacher and administrator where he impacted thousands of children’s lives. Paul married Linda Franke on August 21, 1976.  They were happily married for 45 years.  Together they were actively involved with their church and volunteered for Calvert Meals on Wheels.  Paul enjoyed coaching sports and running youth activities for the Optimist Club.  He was an officer in the Knights of Columbus and cherished the relationships he formed over the years.  In his retirement, Paul's favorite activity was playing bridge.  He played daily in-person or online and made so many wonderful friends through this hobby.  Above all, the best times for Paul were with his family.  He spent many hours playing cards and games with them.  He loved and spoiled his children and grandchildren with gifts and delicious homemade cookies. Paul is survived by his loving wife, Linda Franke Rhodes, his son Philip Rhodes (Alyson) and daughter Laura Moody (Bryan); grandchildren Brennan Moody, Grayson Moody, Audrey Moody, Nathaniel Rhodes, and Zachary Rhodes; and half-brothers Dennis London and James London.  He was preceded in death by his father William Rhodes, his mother Ruth London, and his stepfather Arthur London. Visitation was Monday, May 2, 2022, 9:30-11am at Jesus the Divine Word Church, 885 Cox Road, Huntingtown, MD 20639.  A Funeral Mass was celebrated at 11am at the Church, followed by the burial at Jesus the Good Shepherd Cemetery 1601 W Mount Harmony Road, Owings, MD 20736.  A luncheon was held after the burial at Jesus the Divine Word Church.