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Manny Gordon Obituary
Manny, known best for "Enjoy, Enjoy" and his friendly smile, was born Nov. 10, 1911, to Israel and Rebecca Kessler Gordon.
Manny was a graduate of Chester High School, Chester. A superb athlete, Manny played baseball and semi-professional football. Manny graduated from Penn State University in 1935 and was one of its oldest living alumni.
After college, Manny was employed as district forester by the State Bureau of Forestry, overseeing the forests in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, Wyoming and Susquehanna counties until his retirement in 1979. During the Great Depression, Manny was in charge of the Civilian Conservation Corps in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Manny served in the U.S. Army, overseeing prisoner of war forestry camps in France during World War II, committed to making the world a better place.
Manny was most recognized for his television work with WNEP, Channel 16, where he urged everyone to get outdoors and "Enjoy, Enjoy" Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Manny was an amazing man who had a great attitude toward life and lived each day to its fullest. His personality and warmth made even strangers feel that they knew him. Manny's exuberance for life was recognized when he received the unique honor of having both the Manny Gordon Recreational Site in Lackawanna State Park and the Manny Gordon Pond in McDade Park in Scranton named after him during his lifetime.
Devoted to his community, Manny was active with multiple civic, religious, and environmental organizations. Manny was an Eternal Light Member of Temple Israel, a member of the former Agudas Achim Synagogue, Jewish War Veterans, Shriners and a spokesman for outdoor adventure and environmental conservation. His civic interests included the Wyoming Valley Alcohol and Drug Services, Muscular Dystrophy Telethon and St. Joseph's Center.
Manny is survived by his brother, Ronald Gordon and his wife, Adele, Charlotte, N.C.; sister, Sylvia Gordon Goldberg, Paoli; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Manny was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Selma, in 1987; brother, Arthur Gordon, in 1988; and sister, Gertrude Gordon Sherman, in 2009.
Manny will be missed by his family and by all those whose lives he touched over the years.
Funeral services will be held Monday at 1 p.m. at Rosenberg Funeral Chapel, 348 S. River St., Wilkes-Barre, with Rabbi Larry Kaplan and Cantor Ahron Abraham officiating. Interment will be in Agudas Achim Cemetery, West Pittston.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Center, 2010 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18509; or Temple Israel, 236 S. River St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702.
Condolences may be e-mailed to [email protected].
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Manny Gordon
LINDA HANSEN
July 31, 2009
Enjoy,enjoy!I miss you.Your Friend,Linda
Naomi
July 28, 2009
There is a smile above all of us, he is so proudly saying "Enjoy, Enjoy !!" He was a staple in the Wyoming Valley that will forever remain. God Bless his family, and may you find great comfort in knowing he was a man with his life's mission profoundly fulfulled. Godspeed Manny.
CHARLES SCHRADER
July 27, 2009
Enjoy,enjoy!He always smile every time ,I met him in person good day or bad day.I miss you,Manny.From your Best Friend, CHARLIE
Ralph Heilig
July 26, 2009
My deepest sympathy to Manny's family.
I studied forestry and became a forester with the Pa. Department of Forests and Waters, partially due to Manny's mentoring.
As a forest administrator, he knew how to delegate. Though I never worked directly for him, I got to know Manny well during my tenure on the Delaware State Forest District (Stroudsburg 1961-1965).
In 1979 I was offered the chance to succeed Manny as district forester on the Lackawanna District but declined the job and accepted the DF position at Huntingdon in 1980.
I will always be grateful for having come to know and admire Manny Gordon. As someone else has already said, God gave Pennsylvania and mankind a great gift when He loaned Manny to us.
Ralph E. Heilig, District Forester (Retired)
532 Briar Lane
Chambersburg, PA 17202
(717) 263-8647
Mary Lou Lukachko/Pecaitis
July 26, 2009
July 26th,2009
I want to send my condolence to the whole family of Many Gordon, I worked with Manny on a local commercial and everyone related to us from that commercial he was also a good friend.I know he is enjoying enjoying life in heaven now. God Bless you forever.You are forever in our prayers.
Mary, L. L.P.
Rob & Peggy Rave
July 26, 2009
ENJOY,ENJOY!! makes you think of the great outdoors,the state parks,and the woods around us. Manny made us aware of their importance.For the he will be dearly missed. Our sympathy to his family.
Rob & Peggy Rave
Cherie Stone
July 26, 2009
Manny Gordon was a great man that everyone loved from watching him on channel 16 If you lived in the Wyoming Valley you knew him and you loved him. Rest in Peace Manny. We will never forget you. ENJOY ENJOY!!
malcolm brunges
July 26, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Peggy Rushton Simmonette
July 26, 2009
I met Manny when I worked downtown Wilkes-Barre. He came in our donut shop with his friend every Sunday afternoon. He was always pleasant and kind. May he rest in peace, and we will miss him, those of us who were blessed to know him.
July 26, 2009
what a great guy he was. i remember him from the hatchy malatchy show and always seeing him having dinner at ollie's in edwardsville.he will surely be missed. Enjoy! Enjoy!
D. D.
July 26, 2009
Any who grew up in Wyo. Valley loved Manny. Rest in Peace
Patricia Burcha
July 26, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Theresa Yankoski Wyzinski
July 26, 2009
What a sweet man. Remember him since I was young from TV. I saw him a few years ago in a restaurant in Kingston. He was quietly sitting alone having his meal.
I always agreed with him that everyone should get out and enjoy the outdoors.
My deepest sympathy to his family.
Enjoy Enjoy Manny! Rest In Peace!
Elaine Witiak
July 26, 2009
To Manny's family and friends, I offer you my deepest sympathies. My late husband, Demetrius "Butch" Witiak, worked with Manny for many, many years through WNEP-TV. I had the pleasure of meeting Manny and his lovely wife many times at WNEP functions. His spirit and smile brightened any room he was in, and brought a smile to my face. He touched so many lives in such a positive way...what a wonderful legacy. I will remember him fondly, and I hope your memories of him will carry you through these difficult times.
evelyn wright
July 25, 2009
manny,
enjoy! enjoy! you are now free to enjoy heaven and you are now an angel!
Andrea T
July 24, 2009
My deepest sympathy to Manny's family and friends. He was such a wonderful gift to our Valley! We will miss his infectious smile and delightful disposition.
malcolm lafrance
July 24, 2009
so sorry for your grife. he wasa very nice man. we wil all miss him. i livedinpafor 61 years inow live in wi.
July 24, 2009
malcolm lafrance
July 24, 2009
What a wonderful man. He was a huge part of the valley for many years. I remember seeing him on tv and at area events. Sorry for your lose
C.D
Phoenix,AZ
Jesse Tetlak
July 24, 2009
Mr. Gordon was a nature and good will embassador for decades. NEPA will truly miss his efforts. I hope his legacy will last forever and future generations will follow in his foot steps. Although I have never met him personally, he has instilled respect for nature and people in me and for that I thank him dearly. Condolences to his family and friends.
JESSE
Kelley
July 24, 2009
Great man. Met him when I was younger on the Hatchey Mallachey Show with Miss Judy. Enjoy enjoy in heaven Manny.
j m
July 24, 2009
Great guy. Didn't know him personaly but saw him at Ollies all the time. Very nice man. Condolences to all
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