Gordon F. Hale

GORDON F. HALE - an 80-year resident of Greenwich, died of a heart attack on May 7 at the home of his daughter Susan Hale in West Newbury, MA. He was 83-years-old.

During World War II he was a Navy pilot. In the post-war years he owned a succession of planes, which he used for business, and for flying his wife, Helen Newing Hale, and their children all around the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. He finally grounded himself two years ago, but continued his other hobbies of riding motorcycles, sailing, and cruising the waters of the East Coast.

Born in Chicago, the son of Frederick S. and Helen G. Hale, they moved to Home Place in Greenwich when he was two. As an adult he resided on Gamecock Island, an extension off of Byram Shore, and on Steamboat Road in Greenwich proper.

Gordon had to quit Greenwich High School during the Depression to help support his family as a delivery boy for a wine merchant. He also worked at Sikorsky Aircraft helping to assemble helicopters. Later he was able to finish school and graduated from the University of Connecticut on the G.I. Bill.

In 1951 he began work as a salesman for Cushing and Neville, a publisher of technical manuals for the U.S. Army and Navy. He eventually bought the company, moved it to Greenwich, changed its name to TCI, and continued to run it until he retired. He also invested in, and helped start advertising and publishing companies under the TCI umbrella.

Friends knew Gordon as an adventurer, storyteller, and for his great sense of humor. He was a mentor, advisor, and father-figure for friends, business associates, and many others who came in contact with him.

Gordon was a resident of Stuart, FL. Six months before his death he moved in with his daughter Susan. Besides her, he is survived by Pamela Hale of Darien, David Hale of Wayland, MA, and two granddaughters, Brooke and Paige Boncher. He was predeceased by his wife Helen, and two sisters, Anne Mills, and Eleanor Theodore.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be sent to Bendheim Cancer Center, 77 Lafayette Place, Greenwich, CT 06830 or Martin Memorial, PO Box 9010, Stuart FL 34995. There will be a celebration of Gordon Hale's life at the Indian Harbor Yacht Club, 710 Steamboat Road on Saturday, May 26 at 2:00 P.M.