Stephen F. Gordon

 Stephen F. Gordon, 81, of Mystic, died Tuesday August 13, 2024, at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in New London. Stephen was born March 7, 1943, in Brooklyn, New York to Wesley M. Gordon and Elva Fegley Gordon. He married Patricia Lockman, she survives him.

Growing up, Steve had fond memories of the time he spent on a family farm with his parents, grandparents, and cousins from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. 

Young Steve attempted to learn how to play the drums, but his aspirations were cut short after losing a drumstick. He went on to letter in high school track and cross country and earned the distinction of becoming an Eagle Scout. 

Before graduating Hicksville High School in 1961, Steve met his future wife, Patricia Lockman. It was during his senior play production that our mother first noticed our father (wearing tights in the role of Paris in Romeo and Juliet) and was inspired to ask him to the Sadie Hawkins dance. Needless to say, they continued dating throughout college, he at Cornell and she at Oswego State. Upon graduation from college, Steve promptly proposed to Pat. They married each other on July 3, 1966, in record 100-degree heat on Long Island. 

Stephen then went on to earn a master's degree from Cornell University and worked as a structural engineer at Electric Boat for 42 years, after a short stint at Corning. 

Steve and Pat relocated to Groton where Steve began his career at Electric Boat and later welcomed their daughter Kelly and son Scott. They raised their children in a house in Center Groton. 

Steve and Pat joined the Noank Baptist Church, where Steve served on different boards and committees. He was highly involved with the Group Homes, which provided housing both in Noank and downtown Mystic for displaced teen girls. Additionally, he served on boards for the United Way, was highly involved in the Boy Scout Troop in Mystic, Groton Little League and Mystic Babe Ruth. Over the years, Steve was also involved in volleyball through the town of Groton and at EB. He also enjoyed playing softball, handball and golf with friends. Most mornings, Steve could be found walking Lambtown Road Ext adding to his lifelong bird lists. He was an avid bird watcher, participating in annual bird counts and providing a 30-year list of bird sightings along the Lambton property helping secure the area as a preserved land trust. 

Steve was a quiet, gentle soul that enjoyed time with family. He always enjoyed a good joke, cherished conversations, proudly celebrated his kids’ accomplishments and involvement in local sports, and loved becoming a Grampy to his two granddaughters, the lights of his life. 

Besides his beloved wife Patricia, Steve is survived by; his daughter Kelly Gordon Taylor and her husband Rob of Waterford, CT; son Scott Gordon and his wife Sharon Mitchill of Killington, VT; granddaughters Danika Taylor and Carmina Gordon. 

Funeral Services will be held 2:00pm Saturday October 19, 2024, at Noank Baptist Church, 18 Cathedral Heights, Groton, CT 06340.

As a Christian and member of the Noank Baptist Church community, Steve believed in tithing and giving to the church to support its missions locally and globally. If you would like to honor his faithful life, please consider making a donation in his name.