Gorecki couple leaves lasting legacy
Dorothy Gorecki passed at the age of 93 last month. She and her husband Ben contributed over $8 million to the College of St. Benedict during their lifetime.
An article in the local paper Newsleaders published on Nov. 7 announced the passing of philanthropist Dorothy Gorecki at age 93 in October.
She and her husband Benedict “Ben” Gorecki, who died in 2016, left a lasting legacy at St. Ben’s with their philanthropy.
The late Gorecki couple was well known across Minnesota for their widespread generosity, even having won the 2012 Alex Didier Award in Philanthropy.
In their Legacy Story interview following the award, the Goreckis spoke simply about their donations.
“What else are you going to do with your money?” Ben Gorecki said.
Ben and Dorothy took a special interest in St. Ben’s, giving over $8 million to the institution over the years.
This money funded several capital projects, with the most notable being the Gorecki Dining and Conference Center.
“[The Gorecki Dining and Conference Center] became a centralized place for gathering that brought a new sense of community and hospitality to campus in a way we still use today,” said Emily Chaphalkar, Director of Donor Relations at St. Ben’s.
Other donations to St. Ben’s included the Gorecki Art Gallery, the Gorecki Family Theater, as well as an additional conference room and a classroom in the Main building.
According to the Community Giving Foundation, the Goreckis gave an estimated $20 million to charities around central Minnesota and North Dakota.
Despite their wealth, community members described them as “wonderfully ordinary.”
Both coming from modest childhoods, Benedict and Dorothy Gorecki built and ran several successful businesses over the years.
They were married for 64 years, had five children together and were both devout Catholics that their generosity was directed by their faith.
“Dorothy and Ben Gorecki were incredibly generous to St. Ben’s,” Chaphalkar said. “When I think about the impact the Goreckis made, it’s really all over campus. You see their name and their philanthropy everywhere.”
In the Homegrown Goodness article on the Gorecki Family, Ben expressed his own gratitude towards the CSB+SJU community.
“It’s a two-way deal, and I’m not sure who benefits more . . . the sisters, the college, the students, or us,” Ben Gorecki said. “We get so much back from our contributions, including so many friends and good times on campus.”
Heather Pieper-Olson, VP for CSB Institutional Advancement spoke highly of the couple, praising their character and presence on campus.
“Ben and Dorothy Gorecki brought a spirit of joy, play and abundance to their investment in St. Ben’s. They would compete with each other over Bingo or bocce to decide who got to bring the check to campus for their many gifts. A meal with them was always filled with laughter, especially if S. Colman O’Connell was in attendance,” Pieper- Olson said via email.
The Goreckis were described to be joyous and modest people.
Their children recalled how they loved to dance the waltz together, and that Dorothy loved chicken wild rice soup.
As CSB+SJU students eat at Gorecki Dining, they will be reminded of the couple that donated millions of dollars to the college.
“The St. Ben’s community continues to be nourished – body and soul – by their generosity and friendship,” Pieper- Olson said via email.