Sydney Gordon, age 90, passed peacefully on January 21 at The Meadows, Edgewood retirement facility surrounded by family.
Born on January 12, 1936, in Brooklyn, New York, Sydney grew up in a close-knit family that shaped his lifelong devotion to those he loved. He graduated from New York University in 1956 with a degree in chemical engineering and began his career in the Westinghouse training program. He later served two years in the United States Army, after which he continued his professional life as a civilian with the Department of Defense, working at the Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey.
After his first year in the Army, Sydney married the love of his life, Sheila. Their marriage of 66 years was marked by deep devotion, partnership, and unwavering commitment. Together, they raised three children and were blessed with four grandchildren.
Travel was one of Sydney’s great passions—both professionally and personally. Thanks to early retirement made possible by judicious investments, of which he was very proud, Sydney and Sheila traveled extensively. He delighted in planning trips down to the smallest detail, mapping routes long before GPS existed. Australia held a special place in his heart, and he embraced adventure wherever he went—climbing monuments, swimming in the Great Barrier Reef, and enjoying amusement parks with childlike enthusiasm.
Sydney loved cards and numbers. He was a Life Master in bridge and a skilled blackjack card counter who could happily play for hours, driven not by winnings but by the elegance of the game itself. He was known for his ever-present smile and twinkle in his eye, his willingness to try almost anything—except vegetables.
Later in life, Sydney and Sheila moved to the Edgewood retirement community, where he became well known for his daily three-mile walks. Along the way, he fed the horses he passed each day, so much so that neighbors would leave carrots for him, knowing he would be by.
Perhaps Sydney’s greatest legacy was the devotion he showed his wife. Even during her time in a nursing home, he visited her daily, even during Covid, he would sit in a lawn chair outside her window. They were never apart. Sheila passed away three months before him, and Sydney’s love for her remained constant to the end.
Sydney will be deeply missed by his family and by the community that embraced him. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the exceptional staff at The Meadows and resident services at Edgewood for the compassionate care they provided to both Sydney and Sheila.
Sydney was predeceased by his beloved wife Sheila; his parents, Nellie and Sam Gordon; and is survived by his brother, Dr. Garrett Gordon of New Jersey; his daughters, Beth Gordon of New York and Stephanie Schneiderman and her husband Jerry of New York; his son Dr. Jonathan Gordon and his wife Dr. Paula Muto of Andover; and his cherished grandchildren, Emma, Alex, David, and Anna.
Funeral services were privately held. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home of Andover. For additional information, please visit, www.burkemagliozzi.com.