Senate Resolution No. 291

BY: Senator LITTLE

MOURNING the death of Lawrence S. Gordon,
meritorious veteran and firefighter, steward of the
environment, and long-time Saratoga County Planner

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to publicly mourn the death
of those prominent citizens whose lifework and purposeful endeavors have
served to enrich and enhance the quality and character of life for
others in their community and the great State of New York; and

WHEREAS, It is with feelings of deepest regret that this Legislative
Body records the passing of Lawrence S. Gordon, a preeminent citizen
whose distinguished public service and caring commitment will long serve
as a standard to which others might aspire; and

WHEREAS, Lawrence S. Gordon died on Tuesday, September 11, 2018, at
the age of 83; and

WHEREAS, Lawrence "Larry" S. Gordon was born to the late Larry and
Nellie Gordon on April 30, 1935, in Saratoga Springs, New York; he
attended Perkiomen Prep School in Pennsylvania, and earned his
bachelor's degree from Syracuse University, New York State College of
Forestry in 1963; after his graduation, he proudly served his country as
a member of the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, For 33 years, Lawrence S. Gordon held the title of Director
of Planning for Saratoga County; he was also the President of the New
York State Planner's Association, Regional Vice President of the
National Association of Planning Directors, and Planner Emeritus of the
American Institute of Planning; and

WHEREAS, For over five decades, Lawrence S. Gordon volunteered his
time and energy to the Boy Scouts of America; he was a member of the
Executive Board of the local council and was the property chair for Camp
Saratoga; it was through the Boy Scouts that he began his quest to
develop the Wilton Wildlife Preserve; and

WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to the Boy
Scouts and the environment, Lawrence S. Gordon was named a Good Scout
twice by the local Boy Scout Council, and was the recipient of the
Silver Beaver Award, the Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park Metamorphosis
Award, the 1999 LASAR Volunteer of the Year Award, the 2016 LASAR
President's Award, and the 2017 NFFPC Outstanding Service Award; and

WHEREAS, Dedicated to his fellow veterans, Lawrence S. Gordon was an
honorary member of the U.S.S. Saratoga Association where he worked on
the U.S.S. Saratoga Decommissioning Ceremony and Congressional Medal of
Honor Reunion in Saratoga Springs; he also served as Chair of the U.S.S.
Saratoga Ship's Bell and Commissioning Silver Service Restoration
Committee and was the national co-Chair and Community Liaison for the
Saratoga National Veteran Cemetery Dedication; and

WHEREAS, Lawrence S. Gordon was also a Captain and a life member of
the Greenfield/Wilton Fire District; he worked at the fire tower, and

served as Saratoga County Deputy Fire Coordinator and Town of Wilton
Emergency Services Coordinator; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Lawrence S. Gordon was a New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation Volunteer Forest Fire Warden
and Foreman, and held the titles of President and Team Commander of
Lower Adirondack Search & Rescue (LASAR), served as Vice Chair of the
New York State Federation Search and Rescue, and represented the
executive branch of New York State on the Northeast Forest Fire
Protection Commission (NFFPC), a consortium of New York, the New England
states, Quebec and the Maritime Provinces; and

WHEREAS, Lawrence S. Gordon also served two terms as Councilperson
on the Wilton Town Board, and was a member of the Wilton Wildlife
Preserve and Park Board and the New York State Mt. McGregor Facility
Advisory Committee; and

WHEREAS, When he was not working or helping someone, Lawrence S.
Gordon enjoyed traveling the roads in the Adirondack Park with new and
old friends to earn his Vagabond Award from the Adirondack 102 Club; he
loved to work on various projects at Camp Saratoga, in the town of
Wilton, throughout Saratoga County and beyond; known for his vivid
storytelling, he could often be found entertaining guests at the Cornell
Hill Fire Tower; and

WHEREAS, Predeceased by his parents, and stepmother, Jeanne Gordon,
Lawrence S. Gordon is survived by his wife, Patricia Watkins; two sons,
Robert and Scott (Christina); one daughter, Lisa Beth; two
grandchildren, Skyler and Jessica; three sisters, Laurie (Dale) Zeh,
Lynne (Dan) Doyle and Rhea Demory; three brothers, Jan Scott (Anne),
David (Kate) and Peter (Karen); many nieces and nephews; and the mother
of his sons, Marie Towner; as well as a legion of firefighters and Boy
Scouts who will long cherish his memory; and

WHEREAS, For numerous years, Lawrence S. Gordon devoted his life to
public service and protecting New York State's natural resources with a
focus on leading by example; and

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon all citizens to recognize and applaud
the efforts of Lawrence S. Gordon who worked tirelessly on behalf of
protecting our natural surroundings for the benefit of present and
future generations of not only New Yorkers, but all citizens throughout
the 50 states; and

WHEREAS, He was truly a trailblazer for the environment; armed with
a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of compassion, Lawrence S.
Gordon's life was a portrait of service, a legacy which will long endure
the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he
served and befriended; he will be greatly missed by many; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Lawrence S. Gordon, meritorious veteran and
firefighter, steward of the environment, and long-time Saratoga County
Planner; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Lawrence S. Gordon.