By MARY MALLOY
According to Lynbrook police Detective Fred Fusswinkel, officers from Lynbrook and the Nassau County Police Department responded. Fusswinkel said that Gordon apparently had been walking on the platform after getting off a train from Long Beach when he lost his balance and fell onto the tracks, in the path of the oncoming train. LIRR Spokesman Salvatore Arena said it was unclear why or how Gordon fell, and the incident was being investigated.
Gordon and Mike Kelly of Lynbrook had finished their shift earlier that evening at Jordan's Lobster Farm in Island Park, according to the restaurant's owner, Stephen Jordan. After that, friends said, they may have attended a party in Long Beach.
"Patrick was a great kid," said Gordon's uncle, Gerard Gordon of Westbury. "He was very witty. He could really break up a crowd with his humor."
Patrick Gordon had worked at Jordan's for almost five years, Stephen Jordan said. A 2007 graduate of South Side High School, he had recently finished his first year at Iona College, where he played rugby and was on the wrestling team.
"The kids are all devasted," said Jordan. "I was close with Patrick's family. The younger ones here had an attachment to him. It was just a tragic accident." Jordon said that Gordon helped run the outdoor restaurant, and his co-workers had nicknamed him "Peabody."
Gordon loved the beach and surfing, Jordan said, and spent time at the Atlantic Beach Club. "He had lots of cousins, and many friends who cared about him," Jordan said.
"I knew Patrick well and I liked him," said South Side High School Principal Dr. Carol Burris. "I met him during our ninth grade orientation and I spoke with him frequently throughout his years at South Side High School. He was warm, funny and full of life. It is such a deeply tragic event that has saddened me so much and my heart goes out to his wonderful parents and his brother and sisters."
Gordon is survived by his parents, Dolores and Patrick Gordon; two sisters, Lindsay, 16, and Jaclyn, 11; and a brother, Stephen, 14.
A wake was held at Macken Mortuary on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Gordon's funeral was scheduled for Thursday morning at St. Agnes Cathedral, with burial following at St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale.
Judy Rattner contributed to this story. Comments about it? RVCeditor@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 208.
