Daniel Francis Vorum

Entrepreneur was owner of City Motors Inc. Daniel Francis Vorum, 49, of Ironwood Drive, Southpointe, died unexpectedly Saturday, March 31, 2007, in his home. He was born June 20, 1957, in Washington, the youngest son of the late Stephen H. Vorum Sr. and Frances Corabi Vorum. Mr. Vorum attended Immaculate Conception Elementary and High School and graduated from Trinity High School in 1976. He was a lifelong member of Immaculate Conception Church and was baptized and married there. At an early age, he showed his entrepreneurial abilities and developed his famous customer service skills by delivering papers and clearing snow in his neighborhood. Although his first paper route was very small, family lore states that his popularity with his customers and the generous tips he received allowed him to purchase his first car for resale by age 10. He achieved his union bricklayer's card by age 18 and worked as a bricklayer for 10 years while also owning S&D Trucking with his brother, Steve. He had a lifetime love of cars, from the small Matchbox cars he collected as a boy and treasured his whole life, to the collectible and luxury sports cars he enjoyed as an adult. Mr. Vorum's first auto dealership, East Maiden Auto Sales, was co-owned with his uncle, Gabriel Corabi. In 1984, he established City Motors Inc. Although he was the sole owner, it was truly a family business. His father and brothers, also skilled bricklayers, helped him build the sales office and service garage. With the help of his mother, who was controller, secretary and bookkeeper, and his father, who assisted in daily operations, the dealership was very successful. In 23 years, more than 20,000 vehicles were sold, most by Mr. Vorum. His gregarious and open personality turned customers into friends. He generously shared his success with his family, many friends and those in the community in need. He supported many local charities and institutions, particularly Immaculate Conception Church, ARC Human Services and local veterans groups. Mr. Vorum was known for his high energy, good humor, intelligence and wonderful ability to educate himself on any topic. He became a developer of commercial, residential and agricultural property. His most recent interest was horse racing. He established a horse training facility and owned and raced standardbred horses, including Hope's Victory, a record-breaking trotter. He also was known for his love of conversation, in person and on the phone, his fondness for farm machinery and construction equipment and for always being late. He enjoyed gambling, farm work, hunting, playing golf and traveling with his wife, and he was a devoted Steelers fan and season ticket holder. He was particularly close to his nephew, Kory, and loved and mentored him in business and life. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends and his beloved St. Bernard, Fuzzy, named for his close friend. Mr. Vorum was a member of Bricklayers Local 11, Fraternal Order of the Bears, Tomahawk Hunting Lodge, Alpine Star Lodge, Southpointe Golf Club, Italian Sons and Daughters, Immaculate Conception Church, Pennsylvania Independent Auto Dealers Association, National Independent Auto Dealers Association, United States Trotting Association and the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association. On May 17, 1997, he married Elizabeth Eelkema, who survives. Also surviving are brothers Charles V. (Marsha) Vorum of Acme and Stephen H. (Tracy) Vorum Jr. of West Alexander; three nephews, Kory, Stephen and Vincent Vorum of West Alexander; and several godchildren. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 4, in Immaculate Conception Church, with the Rev. Father Nicholas Spirko as celebrant, followed by entombment in St. James Mausoleum. Memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Association, Washington County Humane Society or Mesothelioma Society.