Johnny Gorkom, best known as “Pop” from the former “Pop’s Bakery” in Lake Albert, has passed away. Picture: Marguerite McKinnon
Champion boxer, much-loved dad and local legend, Johnny Gorkom, who was best known as “Pop” from the former “Pop’s Bakery” in the Lake Village Shopping Centre in Lake Albert, passed away on Friday. He was 80.
Daughters Belinda, Kim and Shirleen shared the news with friends last night that their beloved father passed away peacefully in the Palliative Care Unit at Calvary Hospital under the care of Dr Michael O’Brien and his team.
“We can’t thank you enough for the care and compassion over the last five months,” Shirleen Everett wrote.
“Dad passed away with family by his side on Friday, 2nd May, on what would have been his 62nd year of marriage.”
News of his passing quickly reached his beloved Thomas Blamey Hotel. Members and locals described him as a gentleman, a local legend and a wonderful human being.
“One of the best men I’ve ever had the pleasure of serving beers to for so many years,” wrote Jess Cronin.
“From my childhood pies and chocolate milks out at the Lockhart as a kid, to the best stories told across the bar table whilst enjoying a punt.
“Thank you for being a part of my life for the last 38 years, Johnny. I feel honoured having known you for so long and (having) been able to enjoy your company on many occasions.”
Johnny “Pop” Gorkom pictured in 2018 with his successor, Aaron Carruthers. Photo: Marguerite McKinnon.
Johnny “Pop” Gorkom was also a local hero for businesses such as Foodworks Forest Hill.
“Rest easy, Johnny. Pop’s was always our favourite bakery,” wrote Foodworks Forest Hill.
“We loved our chats each morning on deliveries, you were a gentleman and a legend. Loved working with you and your family for all those years. Always be fond memories.”
Retiring in 2018 after 53 years as a baker, Pop was a character with a heart of gold, who made delicious bread, pies and cakes with real cream for generations of local families. The last 21 years of his working life were spent at “Pop’s Bakery” at the Lake Village Shopping Centre.
Pop was always one to reward well-behaved children with a cupcake or give an extra loaf of bread to a family without blinking an eye, because that’s the type of man he was, say friends.
‘Pop’ was once a champion boxer. Photo: supplied
Former customers would recall the famous framed large photo of Johnny in younger years that held pride of place in the shop, when at the age of 28, he beat Trevor ‘The Iceman’ Thornbury in 1972 to become Australia’s Light-Heavyweight Boxing Champion, a title he kept for years before retiring, only to defend it once more before hanging up his gloves.
Growing up in Albury, Johnny started boxing at the age of 15, then ran a fruit and vegetable business, plus the Beechworth Bakery for 12 years.
After that, he gave it away and took his wife Shirley and three daughters around Australia for three years in their caravan.
Returning to the Riverina, Johnny and the family had a bakery in Lockhart for 11 years that supplied bread to Henty and The Rock. They moved to Wagga in 1997 to run the bakery at the Kooringal Mall, where Domino’s Pizza currently is, before finally opening the much-loved “Pop’s Bakery” at Lake Village Shopping Centre at Lake Albert.
Johnny Van Gorkom pictured in later years with his wife Shirley, and daughter’s Shirleen, Belinda and Kim. Pictured: supplied by the family.
Pop’s Bakery was a ‘scratch bakery’ that shunned pre-mix formulas and ‘made from scratch instead’ by using flour, improver, salt and yeast, all of which had to be weighed correctly.
The decision to sell his bakery in May 2018 took many locals by surprise, but Johnny was ready when new owner and former South Wagga Bakery baker Aaron Carruthers snapped it up.
At the time, and in true Johnny Gorkom style, his thoughts on his final day were with his family and loyal customers.
“I want to say thank you to my customers so much for all your support over the years, and I wish you all a very happy life,” Johnny said at the time.
“I’ll still be around. I might go to the (Sir Thomas) Blamey and have a couple of quick ones,” Johnny added, winking.
A true local legend who was admired and respected, Wagga thanked Johnny for his dedicated service over so many years, and wishes that he rest easy in the knowledge that he made people’s lives a little brighter.
