Gordon Arthur Goodrich of New Hope passed away Wednesday, June 15, 2016, peacefully at his home with family at his bedside. He was 92. Gordon was married to Guila M. Goodrich for 67 loving years. Guila predeceased Gordon in 2014.
Born in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1924, Gordon was the only son of the late Norris and Bernice Chapman Goodrich.
Gordon graduated from Battle Creek High School; then spent 1 year in the Army Specialized Training Program at the University of Illinois before joining the Army’s 102nd Infantry Division (Ozark) as a rifleman and radio operator. His Army division landed in Cherbourg France in September 1944 and he fought through Belgium, the Netherlands and into Germany in 1944/1945. After the war, Gordon completed his education graduating from Purdue University in 1948 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
Gordon began his engineering career in 1948 working at General Electric in Schenectady, NY. After 3 years at GE, Gordon moved to the Post Cereals Division of General Foods in Battle Creek. He held numerous positions with Post and later with other divisions of General Foods over a 34 year career in engineering and production. Gordon traveled extensively to help establish General Food’s food and packaging manufacturing facilities around the world. He retired in 1986 as General Foods’ Director, Central Engineering Services, in Tarrytown, NY. As a retiree, Gordon became active with the Town of New Castle Planning Board and served as a valuable advisor to the town engineer and the Chappaqua water authority.
Gordon was a wonderful musician and played the clarinet in a 1940’s dance band. Through his life, he enjoyed puttering around the house, vacationing on a lake with his family, sailing on Long Island Sound, researching antique clocks and coin collecting; and he was an active member of the Congregational Church.
Gordon was a loving father and grandfather and is survived by his daughter, Ann Goodrich Edgerton, her husband, Paul, of Doylestown, and his son, Philip A. Goodrich, his wife, Kim, of Avon CT.; four grandchildren: Dr. Christopher James Goodrich, his wife, Sarah ; Jill Edgerton Nowak, her husband, Zach; Jonathan Gordon Goodrich; and Kristin Margaret Edgerton; his sister in law, Marilyn Beebe of Battle Creek and cousin, Barbara Leavitt of Lansing, MI.
Gordon’s funeral service and interment will be held privately.
Memorial contributions in Gordon’s name may be made to: Favarh, The Arc of the Farmington Valley, Inc., 225 Commerce Avenue, Canton, CT 06019 (www.favarh.org) an organization providing support services to those with special needs.>