Ralph E. Gordon, Sr., 86, of 13 High Street, Greenfield, MA, passed peacefully with loving family at his side on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at Baystate Franklin Medical Center, Greenfield, following a period of declining health.
He was born in Greenfield to Joseph Robert Gordon Sr. and Olive Levira (Snow) Gordon on August 22, 1935. He attended Greenfield High School but did not graduate with his class. Later in life obtained his GED allowing him to take art classes at GCC. He worked for the B & M Railroad as a brakeman and conductor and assisted when the Hoosac Tunnel was converted from two tracks to one.
His first job in journalism was with the Greenfield Recorder and later he was offered a job at the Union News where he worked for over 40 years, including many of those years as Franklin County Bureau Chief. He wrote a weekly column that many remember called “Never a Bad Day” in which he offered accolades to hometown, unsung heroes who gave to the community without recognition. Many still remember when he also worked for WHAI radio station as a sports and news reporter.
For many years, he participated in an annual basketball fundraiser against either the police or fire department as “the old guy” on the team. They stole bits from the Harlem Globetrotters to make the game fun. Ralph was a Freemason for 58 years and served with his son, Jeffrey, as District Deputy Senior Grand Warden. He was also a multiple-time past Patron of the Order of Eastern Star which he attended with his wife, Priscilla. Over the years he has served as a town meeting member, board member of the Franklin County Agricultural Society and Trustee for Shea Theater, GCTV, and AK Warner Fund.
Ralph leaves his wife Priscilla (Warner) Gordon, son Douglas R Gordon -wife Jacqueline and grand-daughters Katherine Gordon and Elizabeth Cicia; son Jeffrey Gordon-wife Deborah and grand-daughter Melissa Gordon and grand-son Christopher Gordon, son Ralph E Gordon Jr- wife Sue Gordon, grandsons Nathan & Tom Senn and grand-daughter Jennifer Senn. He also leaves numerous step children, step grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brother Lt. Col Joseph Robert Gordon and his aunt Leah Talmadge of CT.
Due to existing COVID19 considerations, memorial services will be held on Thursday, September 16, 2021 at 1:00PM at Green River Cemetery, Greenfield, MA. Rev. David Neil, Pastor of the United Church of Bernardston will officiate. Guests are encouraged to wear masks and socially distance. A private visitation will be held for family only. Flowers are respectfully requested to be omitted, with donations as an expression of one’s affection preferred in Ralph’s name to the Franklin County Agricultural Society, Attn: Suzanne Hunter-Treasurer, P.O. Box 564, Greenfield, MA 01302-0564
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