Elbert Gordon
Elbert “Wally” Gordon of Eastport died at Peconic Bay Medical Center on Thursday, September 22, after a battle with stage four breast cancer. He was 81.
Mr. Gordon served with the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1957 and was a member of the Eastport Fire Department for 61 years. He served as chief for two years and was an active member of the department’s tournament and horseshoe teams.
An avid clammer, he went digging every weekend at different locations in the Great South Bay. Even when he was unable to dig, he asked his wife to take him down to the water and help him gather clams.
“He made delicious clam chowder,” his wife Marie said. “We used to go to the Immaculate Conception church during Lent and everyone would bring soup and say ‘there’s the man with the clam chowder!’”
Mr. Gordon would always attend community barbecues in Eastport and open clams. He was a natural, Ms. Gordon said.
Born in Eastport, he lived on South Bay Avenue. After marrying Marie, he bought a home across Montauk Highway on North Bay Avenue. “His grandchildren loved him so much,” Ms. Gordon said. “They called him Grumpy Grampy.” He had a keen sense of humor and was very good with children. In the fall, he and Ms. Gordon would gather fallen leaves and play with the kids who would hide and jump in the leaf piles.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marie; children, Michele Tetreault of Florida, Michael of Westhampton, Kevin of Eastport, Kerin Gordon of Arizona and Dorinda Gordon of Florida; brothers, Melvin of Eastport, Richard of Patchogue and Donald of Florida; grandchildren, Breanne, Meagan, Michael, Derek, Christopher and Abriella.
Visitation was held at Sinnicksons Moriches Funeral Home in Center Moriches on September 24 and 25. Father Jim Manning conducted a funeral Mass at St. John’s Roman Catholic Church in Center Moriches. Interment followed with military honors at Calverton National Cemetery.
on Sep 27, 2011