FERRISBURGH — Robert “Bob” William Gordon Sr., 98, passed away peacefully on Wednesday June 9, 2021, at his home in Ferrisburgh, Vt., with his wife Mary and family at his side.

Bob was born in Burlington, Vt., on April 1, 1923, to Edgar Gordon and Rose Collins Gordon. Bob was hard working from a very young age, helping to support his family. In the early years, he worked at E.B. and A.C. Whiting Company in Burlington and at the Burlington Airport. Later, Bob drove bus for Vermont Transit Company for 23 years. Those trips and the people he met were the basis of many stories shared with his family over the years.

In 1957, Bob started a rubber stamp and engraving business in his home and eventually established Gordon Stamp & Engraving. He ran the business with his wife Mary, who he married in 1971, until his retirement in 1988. Over the years, their products could be found in most Chittenden County businesses. Bob was a respected businessman who gave much back to his community, local organizations, and individuals. He was a member of the Kiwanis and very involved with their bike program for children. He was active with the Moose and Eagles Clubs and served on the boards of the Burlington Boys Club, Salvation Army, Old North End Business Association, and HUD Housing. Bob was instrumental in helping start Burlington’s First Night and many other community initiatives. 

When not working or serving the community, he enjoyed fishing, boating and spending time on the boat at Point Bay Marina. In 1978 Bob and Mary bought a camp on Long Point in North Ferrisburgh, where they enjoyed summers. Bob continued his lifelong commitment to service as the vice president of the Long Point Association and later oversaw the care of the lawns, water system and roads. Bob and Mary loved Long Point and the friends they made there.

In retirement they shared time living in at camp in the summer and wintering in Florida, where Bob served on the board for their Debary, Fla., community homeowners association. They returned to Vermont full-time living first in Vergennes and then in Ferrisburgh. Bob loved nature and enjoyed photographing wildlife in his spare time, and he really appreciated a nicely mowed lawn. Even in retirement driving was in his blood; he spent many years transporting vehicles from one place to another for Denecker Chevrolet.

Dad worked hard and believed a job worth doing was worth doing right. We will miss his wit and sense of humor and the many stories he shared with us over the years about his life experiences. He was a good man and will be missed by many. Our world will always feel a little smaller without him.

He was predeceased by his parents; son Robert William Gordon Jr.; daughter Jill Ann Smith and her husband Robert Smith and granddaughter Tara Smith Franklin. His brothers, Bernard and Edward Gordon and Earl Potter and his sisters and their spouses, Edna and Joseph Bessette and Dorothy and Stan Hardy also predeceased him, as did his mother-in-law Adele Allen, son-in-law E. Alan Daniels and the mother of his children, Theresa Rock Gordon.

Bob is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 50 years, Mary; his children and their spouses, Gene and Mary Sue Gordon, Wayne and Lea Gordon, and his daughter Chris Gordon and Lisa Hobbs; and Mary’s children and their spouses, Kim Daniels, Bruce and Leigh Beauregard, Robin and Paul Goguen, John Richard Beauregard, and Lori Beauregard. He is also survived by his brother Howard Gordon and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

A private interment will be held at the convenience of the family. Contributions in Bob’s memory can be made to Addison County Home Health and Hospice, Route 7 Middlebury, VT 05753, achhh.org or Reach for the Stars Scholarship, c/o Vermont Principals’ Association, 2 Prospect Street, Suite 3, Montpelier, VT 05602, Attn:  Bob Johnson.

 Our family thanks everyone who cared for Dad for their Love and Compassion.◊