Harry E. Gordon, Jr.

Harry died on August 27, surrounded by family. He was born in 1931, in Waterbury, Connecticut, to the late Hannah Morgan Gordon and Harry Everett Gordon. In Marion, CT, Harry attended the area two-room schoolhouse. For college preparation, Harry graduated from Cheshire Academy in Cheshire, CT.

Harry graduated from Yale in 1952, earning a B.E. degree in Chemical Engineering. At Yale, he sang in the Freshman Glee Club, was a Naval ROTC student and a member of the St. Elmo Society.

Upon graduation from Yale, Harry began his service in the Navy. He was commissioned an Ensign and sailed the world aboard the USS McCord (DD534), a Fletcher class destroyer. During this deployment, Harry saw action off Korea during the “forgotten war.” Later, Harry was part of the first crew of the USS Wilkinson (DL5)—one of the first Destroyer Leaders in the Navy. The highlight of Harry’s naval service was, however, on land. He married Jeanne Marie DuBois, on April 19, 1954. A son, Peter arrived on St. Patrick’s Day in 1955, while Harry was marching in the parade in Savannah, GA.

His naval service completed, Harry started his career with Hercules Powder Company (later Hercules, Inc.) in 1955. During his 36-year career with the company, he worked in several locations. While in Dover NJ, a daughter, Martha, arrived shortly after her birthday on June 25, 1961.

In 1962, Harry began his first stretch in Personnel (later Human Resources) at the corporate HQ of Hercules. After a brief period in the International Department (1965-1966), Harry returned to Human Resources, where he developed the process of manpower planning and development. Harry retired from Hercules as Director of Executive Development in 1991.

But he did not stop working. As a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for abused and neglected children, Harry served for over 15 years as a volunteer officer of Delaware Family Court. His main responsibility was providing an independent voice in custody cases relating to one priority—what was best for the children involved.

During the 1970s through to the 2000s, Harry and Jeanne traveled extensively, sometimes with their friends, Anne and John Rundquist, and Peggy and Peter Frankenberg (“the Six Thirties”) and sometimes alone. They visited Paris numerous times, as well the Loire Valley, Champagne, and Normandy in France. They also visited Canada, the Danube, the Rhine, as well as England, Wales and Scotland. They vacationed for many years in Maine and Grand Cayman.

A review of Harry’s life would not be complete without listing his service with the following organizations:

Board Member and Board Chair of the American Heart Association, Delaware Chapter; Class Agent for Cheshire Academy and Yale University; Trustee, Lector, Member of Liturgy Committee, Eucharistic Minister, Member of Parish Council, Choir Member and Head of Lectors at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Catholic Church; Member of the Diocese of Wilmington Bishop’s Advisory Committee; Member of the Delaware Family Law Commission; Member of Regional Board of Directors for Blood Bank of Delaware and Eastern Shore and Committee Chair (now Blood Bank of Delmarva); BBD Platelet Donor; President and Member of Board of Governors of the University & Whist Club of Wilmington; President, Yale Club of Delaware; President, Sedgley Farms Association; Sedgley Farms Rep. for Barley Mill Citizens Committee; LPGA Marshall; Member of Purple Spots (wine club); Member of Retreds (investment club). And, along with Jeanne, Co-chair of the Volunteer Committee of the Annual Delaware Antiques Show.

Harry and Jeanne moved to Stonegates Retirement Community in 2017, Harry is survived by Jeanne Marie DuBois Gordon., children Peter Gordon (Catherine) and Martha Gordon Kennedy (Robert), grandchildren Claire Gordon Harmer (Dave, d. 2010), Andrew Gordon (Erin), step-grandson Jamie Kennedy and great-granddaughter Sloane Gordon. The family would like to thank everyone at Stonegates for their care and understanding.

A service will be held at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Catholic Church on Thursday, September 19, at 10:30 am. Visitation will begin at 9:30 am. In lieu of flowers, we suggest that a donation be made to Cheshire Academy (Cheshire, CT.)