Obituary: Leslie A. Gordon

Whitehall-Leslie A. Gordon (Les) went into the arms of the lord unexpectedly on May 12, 2019 at Slate Valley Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing.  Les was born on January 22, 1932 in Whitehall, New York, the son of the late Clarence and Florence (Hughes) Gordon.

Les was a lifelong resident of Whitehall, enlisting in the United States Marine Corp at the age of 19 and served 3 years on active duty.  He earned a Good Conduct Medal, United Nations Service Ribbon and a National Defense Service Medal.

He served in the Korean Conflict as an Amphibian Tractor Crewman and was awarded the Korean Service Ribbon.  Up

on separation from the Marines, He joined the NY Army National Guard and served in many positions with the various unit

s stationed at the Whitehall armory. He retired in 1992 with over 20 years of reserve service.

He married his longtime sweetheart, Rose Martin, in September 1956.

Les was a retired corrections officer from Great Meadow Correctional Facility where he worked for over 30 years.

He was very active and a life member in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) Lodge #1491 serving as the Exalted Ruler, Trustee and Tyler.  He was also a member of American Legion Post #83.

He was a communicant of the Our Lady of Hope Roman Catholic Church in Whitehall where he was an usher and Guardian Adorer of the Blessed Sacrament.

Les was predeceased by his brother Norman and his “great” uncle Arthur Hughes of Hydeville, VT.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Rose Gordon of Whitehall; son Gary Gordon(Kerrie) of South Glens Falls; daughter Patricia Linehan of Moreau; son Leslie Gordon (Cassie) of Fort Edward; sister Ruth (Fred) Valastro; grandchildren Michael (Sarah) and Tim (Sarah) Gordon and Zachary and Kassidy Gordon; great grandchildren Kylie and Elijah Gordon.

Family and friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 16th at the Jillson Funeral Home Inc., 46 Williams Street, Whitehall.  BPOE Lodge #1491 will hold a Lodge of Sorrow at 6:30p.m.  A Legionaries Service will be conducted by Whitehall American Legion Post #83 at 6:45p.m.

A Mass of Christian burial will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 17th, at Our Lady of Hope Roman Catholic Church in Whitehall, with Reverend Joe Arockiasamy officiating. Committal service will follow with full military honors, conducted by the Whitehall American Legion Post #83 in the Our Lady of Angels Cemetery.

The family has suggested that any memorial contributions be made in Les’s name to the Whitehall American Legion Post #83 Memorial Wall Fund, 148 Main Street, Whitehall, NY 12887.

Online condolences may be made at www.jillsonfuneralhome.com