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BORN
1949
DIED
2017
GORDON PAVY Obituary
GORDON RAY PAVY (Age 67)
On January 26, 2017, from complications arising from cancer. He is survived by his wife, Laura Siegelbaum; sister Madonna Rothwell (Gary); brother Thomas Pavy (Judy); sons Aaron Pavy (Pamela) and Bryan Pavy; stepdaughters Jill Siegelbaum (Ryan Cunningham) and Kate Siegel (Mike Flanagan); granddaughters Ashley, Heather, Mallory and Allison Pavy and Maddie Cunningham; and grandsons Zackary Pavy, Max Cunningham, and Cody Flanagan.A native of Dayton, Ohio, Gordon was born on April 10, 1949, to Ray and Ruby (Ryle) Pavy. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1969, returned to the U.S. in 1973 and earned a B.A. and M.A. from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.Gordon spent more than 30 years serving America's unions, including as Director of the AFL-CIO Collective Bargaining Department and as national president of the Labor and Employment Relations Association.Gordon was a dedicated youth baseball coach for over 20 years, both in the Silver Spring/Takoma Park neighborhood and as a JV Baseball Coach at Blair High School.Memorial contributions may be made to Vietnam Veterans of America, Planned Parenthood or Montgomery Hospice. Funeral services will be private.
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Memories and Condolences
for GORDON PAVY
Sponsored by Men at Work (friends).
Marge Tracey
January 24, 2025
Has it really been eight years now ...
Rest in peace, Gordon.
Paul Lemmon
January 23, 2025
Outstanding union man!
Michael Cass
October 29, 2019
I am greatly saddened to learn of Gordon's passing. We were grad students together at the UMASS Labor Center. I learned of his illness when I contacted him to see if he could attend an Alumni event at UMASS in 2014. At the time he was optimistic that he would win his battle with cancer. I am not sure if that was realistic on his part but it sure was Gordon. His unending optimistic approach to life and his passion for social justice was a beacon to all who had the pleasure of knowing him. While at UMASS he served as the coach of our intramural softball team---we were terrible---but it never bothered Gordon he just plain loved the game. I did not know until I spoke to him in 2014 of his service as a youth coach. I only wish we had the opportunity to speak more about this passion we shared. I did not know until today 10/29/19 that Gordon had passed and I learned of it only because I wanted to see if he could attend another UMASS Alumni event on Nov.9th. We will miss him and I will make sure that he is remembered by his Labor Center Alums. God Bless you Gordon. Rest in Peace old friend.
Tom Murchison
April 18, 2017
I knew Gordon as a great teammate at Ponce spring. I admired his professional work on the behalf of others. RIP
March 9, 2017
I have played baseball both with and against Gordon for well over a decade. Gordon was a good teammate and a tough competitor -- a very cunning lefty on the mound. He was a great friend who will be missed immensely by the Ponce and DCMSBL baseball communities.
Joe Bauer
Mickey Alpert
March 9, 2017
Baseball is a wonderful game, but one of the most rewarding aspects of the game is the friendships that you make and which last a long time. I had the privilege of playing on the same teams as Gordon for many years both in the Washington area as well as during one of the MSBL World Series tournaments in Arizona. He was a wonderful teammate and a good pitcher but more important a very caring person with a tremendous amount of integrity. He also spoke many times about the coaching that he did with younger players and the satisfaction that he received from his players.
My sincere condolences to Laura and the rest of his family. AS time passes, I am sure that the sadness you all must be experiencing will be replaced by the wonderful memories all of you close to Gordon whether from a family, work or recreational/baseball perspectives.
Sincerely,
Mickey Alpert
Alan Kelly
February 28, 2017
Lowering the shades at home tonight, I felt a general sadness, and now I know why. I missed saying goodbye to Gordie, as I would say to him. He and I tackled some issues and had a friendship in our US Navy days. He egged me to see brighter sides and he played guitar, too. I shall remember his living and not end this with a period rather;
John Norton
February 28, 2017
I really enjoyed playing baseball with Gordon. He was a real gentleman on and off the field. I remember one game in Florida in which the team was really struggling and Gordon came in to pitch he struck out three in a row and led the team to a win. It was an incredible thing to watch. The baseball gods are crying and we shall miss you my friend.
Michael Northridge
February 5, 2017
Dear Laura,
I'm so sorry for your loss. I had the good fortune of being a baseball teammate of Gordon's in recent years, and he was a wonderful individual, kind & patient. My thoughts are with you and the rest of his family.
February 5, 2017
We were good friends during and after high school. We lost touch after he moved but I still thought of him and the fun we had in the 60s and 70s. He will be missed.
Jackie Bolton
February 2, 2017
Rachel and I mourn Gordon's passing, but celebrate his life as a union leader and friend
Gordy, back row, middle, with glove.
Harold Hannett
February 1, 2017
Lost a good baseball friend! Gordy loved to pitch, and as recently as 2-3 years ago, he managed to stifle my team with a rare complete-game victory in the MSBL 55+ league. Although he handcuffed my team, as a former teammate and friend, I was happy for him, and proud, almost as much as when a few years back he took the mound with bases loaded and no outs to somehow preserve our team's one-run lead for a playoff win! Gordy will be sorely missed by many of us elder-ball players while he enjoys a field of dreams above. I look forward to batting against him again!
JOSEPH SHANTZ
February 1, 2017
Worked with Gordon at the AFL-CIO. He was a faithful trade unionist and serve the Labor Movement tirelessly.
Sheila Mayberry
February 1, 2017
Gordon was our keynote speaker at our first LERA-Maine annual conference in 2011. He was LERA's National president at the time and wanted to come to Maine to make sure our conference was a success. I recall he spoke eloquently about the state of labor/management relationships and encouraged the parties to stay engaged with each other through the tough times. He was not brash or particularly partisan. He was a gentleman and a scholar. Let us all keep in mind his wisdom as we all move forward with the good work we do.
Brandon Rees
January 31, 2017
Gordon was a wonderful colleague and mentor. Our thoughts are with his family as we remember his life and contribution to the labor movement.
Lisa Jordan
January 31, 2017
So sorry to hear about Gordon's passing. I remember when I was a young labor education he was always so supportive and encouraging. He touched many through his work. Thanks to his family for sharing him with us. Bread and Roses
Michelle Kaminski
January 31, 2017
Gordon was a truly a dedicated labor leader, helping to make life better for working people. It was a joy to work with him.
Charlie Fanning
January 31, 2017
I worked only briefly with Gordon at the begining of my career, but he left a great impression on me as a man of great intelligence, dedication, patience, and empathy. I am sorry for your loss.
January 31, 2017
Gordon was a good friend and a dedicated, passionate, and creative leader of American workers. We worked closely together on a number of projects and in LERA. I am sorry to hear of his passing. Please accept my condolences.
Tom Kochan
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Randy Kiser
January 31, 2017
So sorry to hear of Gordon's passing. His work helped working families across our nation have a better life. My condolences to his family.
Karla Garland
January 31, 2017
Gordon was truly special. It's so sad he didn't have more time to enjoy retirement. Heaven is certainly a better place with him there. My deepest sympathy to his family.
Karen & Scott Dunlap
January 31, 2017
Gordon touched so many lives, young and old. He was tireless in his efforts to improve the baseball opportunities for kids in Takoma Park. We were fortunate to be his friends AND part of his baseball world. He will be dearly missed and we are so saddened by his unfortunate early departure. We will miss his love and constant enthusiasm for baseball and life.
January 30, 2017
My deepest sympathy to Gordon's family. He was a treasure to the labor movement, always committed to workers. He was an inspiration.
Rick Weidman
January 30, 2017
Working with Gordon was an honor; I only wish we had been given more time after he retired. He was the best of us! I and all of us at Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) national office, and in Chapter 641 shall miss him greatly.
January 30, 2017
I appreciate all you did for the movement, bettering of lives, work environment, and devotion to the AFL-CIO, Local 153, May your family experience comfort, hope, and peach now and days to come. THANKS
Serigne Sarre
January 30, 2017
Gordon was one of my baseball coaches but he was one of my favorites. He taught me a lot of my fundamentals. I am very sad that he had to go so early. I hope we all have a joyful memory of him.
Mike Yoffee
January 30, 2017
I had the privilege of working with Gordon for many years. Please accept my deepest condolences. Mike Yoffee, United Steelworkers, Pittsburgh, PA
Lane Windham
January 30, 2017
Gordon was a wonderful friend and co-worker and I will miss him and his kind smile. My condolences to all his family.
Joel Yudken
January 30, 2017
Gordon was a wonderful person and great labor leader. I first met him when he was at the IUD, and later I worked with him at the AFL-CIO. My condolences to his family. He will be missed.
January 30, 2017
My condolences. May the fond memories you cherish and the peace of God comfort and sustain you in your time of need.
-RM
Linda Foley
January 30, 2017
RIP, Brother Gordon. You helped many people achieve their voice.
Robert Masciola
January 30, 2017
I'm glad I had the opportunity to work with and get to know Gordon. I know he'll be missed. Heaven just got a little more righteous.
Mary Forbes
January 30, 2017
My sincere condolences. He made a life-long contribution to the labor movement, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Mike Black
January 30, 2017
I worked in the field for the Industrial Union Dept. for 25 years and got to know Gordon through my visits to the DC office. He always made me feel welcome and will be sorely missed. My condolences to the family.
Ron Ault
January 30, 2017
Rest In Peace my friend- your contributions to America's workers will endure forever- you made the world a better place- we will miss your smile and your wise words of advice-
Ellen Scully-Russ
January 30, 2017
Gordon was a wonderful man and he will be deeply missed. My sincere condolences for your loss.
Scott Reynolds
January 30, 2017
A very good man whose work helped many. Rest in Peace, Brother.
Paul Lemmon
January 30, 2017
Gordon was a wonderful person. Always committed to the cause he did his work with a kind passion.
Deepest Sympathies
Paul Lemmon
Marge Tracey
January 29, 2017
He was a wonderful person - everybody liked Gordon. My deepest sympathy to the family. May he rest in peace
January 29, 2017
My sincere condolences to your family.
- Verlow Haddon (Syracuse, UT)
David Gregory
January 29, 2017
Gordon fought the good fight and I was proud to work with him in the AFL-CIO. He will be missed.
January 29, 2017
My condolences to family and friends. May the fond memories you share and the peace of God comfort and sustain you in your time of need.
-RM
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