Active community member dies

A rake, a raconteur and a Renaissance man, John (“Jack”) Patrick Gordon, 84, a longtime resident of Lynbrook and native of Richmond Hill, Queens, died on Jan. 26.

Gordon was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, and a decorated New York City police officer famed for his heroic actions. In 1953, he and his partner saved two fishermen from drowning off the coast of Far Rockaway. He was honored again for setting a police department record for the recovery of stolen cars in New York City, earning from the media the nickname ‘Eagle Eye Gordon.’ 

Gordon, who was named Patrolman of the Year in 1965, was a member of the Honor Legion Society of the N.Y. City Police Department, the Emerald Society, the PBA and the 1013 Officers’ Association. Upon his retirement from the Police Department, he became a much-sought-after home renovation contractor, retired again, then became the manager of Nathan Hale Senior Citizen Housing in Lynbrook.

Gordon, an Irish tenor, and sang the songs of Ireland and America at parties, weddings, christenings and funerals. He was a longtime member of the Lynbrook Republican Club, he was commander of American Legion Post #335 in Lynbrook, a member of and Man of Year for the Knights of Columbus Post St. Mary’s/Maris Stella #2228, a member of and Man of the Year for the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the longtime grand marshal of Lynbrook’s Memorial Day parade. His civic contributions, coupled with Anne’s, earned them the title of Lynbrook’s Couple of the Year. He was a member of the Holy Name Society at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Lynbrook, and for many years, was the head usher at Our Lady of Peace.