Honor Lawrence S. Gordon

Senate Resolution No. 291 BY: Senator LITTLE MOURNING the death of Lawrence S. Gordon, meritorious veteran and firefighter, steward of the environment, and long-time Saratoga County Planner WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to publicly mourn the death of those prominent citizens whose lifework and purposeful endeavors have served to enrich and enhance the quality and character of life for others in their community and the great State of New York; and WHEREAS, It is with feelings of deepest regret that this Legislative Body records the passing of Lawrence S. Gordon, a preeminent citizen whose distinguished public service and caring commitment will long serve as a standard to which others might aspire; and WHEREAS, Lawrence S. Gordon died on Tuesday, September 11, 2018, at the age of 83; and WHEREAS, Lawrence "Larry" S. Gordon was born to the late Larry and Nellie Gordon on April 30, 1935, in Saratoga Springs, New York; he attended Perkiomen Prep School in Pennsylvania, and earned his bachelor's degree from Syracuse University, New York State College of Forestry in 1963; after his graduation, he proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army; and WHEREAS, For 33 years, Lawrence S. Gordon held the title of Director of Planning for Saratoga County; he was also the President of the New York State Planner's Association, Regional Vice President of the National Association of Planning Directors, and Planner Emeritus of the American Institute of Planning; and WHEREAS, For over five decades, Lawrence S. Gordon volunteered his time and energy to the Boy Scouts of America; he was a member of the Executive Board of the local council and was the property chair for Camp Saratoga; it was through the Boy Scouts that he began his quest to develop the Wilton Wildlife Preserve; and WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to the Boy Scouts and the environment, Lawrence S. Gordon was named a Good Scout twice by the local Boy Scout Council, and was the recipient of the Silver Beaver Award, the Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park Metamorphosis Award, the 1999 LASAR Volunteer of the Year Award, the 2016 LASAR President's Award, and the 2017 NFFPC Outstanding Service Award; and WHEREAS, Dedicated to his fellow veterans, Lawrence S. Gordon was an honorary member of the U.S.S. Saratoga Association where he worked on the U.S.S. Saratoga Decommissioning Ceremony and Congressional Medal of Honor Reunion in Saratoga Springs; he also served as Chair of the U.S.S. Saratoga Ship's Bell and Commissioning Silver Service Restoration Committee and was the national co-Chair and Community Liaison for the Saratoga National Veteran Cemetery Dedication; and WHEREAS, Lawrence S. Gordon was also a Captain and a life member of the Greenfield/Wilton Fire District; he worked at the fire tower, and served as Saratoga County Deputy Fire Coordinator and Town of Wilton Emergency Services Coordinator; and WHEREAS, In addition, Lawrence S. Gordon was a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Volunteer Forest Fire Warden and Foreman, and held the titles of President and Team Commander of Lower Adirondack Search & Rescue (LASAR), served as Vice Chair of the New York State Federation Search and Rescue, and represented the executive branch of New York State on the Northeast Forest Fire Protection Commission (NFFPC), a consortium of New York, the New England states, Quebec and the Maritime Provinces; and WHEREAS, Lawrence S. Gordon also served two terms as Councilperson on the Wilton Town Board, and was a member of the Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park Board and the New York State Mt. McGregor Facility Advisory Committee; and WHEREAS, When he was not working or helping someone, Lawrence S. Gordon enjoyed traveling the roads in the Adirondack Park with new and old friends to earn his Vagabond Award from the Adirondack 102 Club; he loved to work on various projects at Camp Saratoga, in the town of Wilton, throughout Saratoga County and beyond; known for his vivid storytelling, he could often be found entertaining guests at the Cornell Hill Fire Tower; and WHEREAS, Predeceased by his parents, and stepmother, Jeanne Gordon, Lawrence S. Gordon is survived by his wife, Patricia Watkins; two sons, Robert and Scott (Christina); one daughter, Lisa Beth; two grandchildren, Skyler and Jessica; three sisters, Laurie (Dale) Zeh, Lynne (Dan) Doyle and Rhea Demory; three brothers, Jan Scott (Anne), David (Kate) and Peter (Karen); many nieces and nephews; and the mother of his sons, Marie Towner; as well as a legion of firefighters and Boy Scouts who will long cherish his memory; and WHEREAS, For numerous years, Lawrence S. Gordon devoted his life to public service and protecting New York State's natural resources with a focus on leading by example; and WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon all citizens to recognize and applaud the efforts of Lawrence S. Gordon who worked tirelessly on behalf of protecting our natural surroundings for the benefit of present and future generations of not only New Yorkers, but all citizens throughout the 50 states; and WHEREAS, He was truly a trailblazer for the environment; armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of compassion, Lawrence S. Gordon's life was a portrait of service, a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he served and befriended; he will be greatly missed by many; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to mourn the death of Lawrence S. Gordon, meritorious veteran and firefighter, steward of the environment, and long-time Saratoga County Planner; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of Lawrence S. Gordon.