1923-2013
Edward Theodore Gordon was born on March 4, 1923. He was one of four children of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Gordon of Charlestown, Massachusetts. Edward was predeceased by his brothers, Nathan and David, and his sister, Celia. Edward graduated from Boston English High School. He attended Tufts College and Tufts University School of Medicine and graduated at the top of his class in 1944 and 1947 respectively. Following a rotating internship at Bellevue Hospital in New York City, Dr. Gordon pursued a residency in General Surgery at the University of Minnesota where he trained under Dr. Owen Wangensteen. In 1949, Dr. Gordon became the Chief of Surgical Services at the 7th Station Army Hospital in Trieste, Italy. Upon his return from Europe, Dr. Gordon completed his surgical training at the Beth Israel Hospital in Boston.
Dr. Gordon practiced at Quincy City Hospital and Milton Hospital for over three decades serving as Chief of Surgery and President of the Medical Staff. A lifelong supporter of Tufts University School of Medicine, he was active in the medical school alumni association founding the M Club dedicated to financial supporting his alma mater. Along with his wife, the late Claire Gordon, they supported several scholarships for deserving medical students.
Dr. Gordon met his wife, Claire Braverman of Quincy, when they were both in high school. They were married during Dr. Gordon's second year at Tufts University School of Medicine. During their nearly 67 years of marriage they lived in New York, Minnesota, and Trieste, Italy before returning to Quincy in 1950. The family ultimately moved to Milton in 1960 where they resided for the duration of their lives together.
Dr. Gordon's lifelong love of medicine influenced the career choices of his three sons, all of whom pursued careers in the medical field (clinical and administrative). He loved classical music and was an avid reader especially enjoying historical and political non-fiction books. He and Mrs. Gordon spent many happy summers at their vacation home in Chatham, Massachusetts where he enjoyed golf, tennis and boating.
Dr. Gordon was predeceased by his wife of nearly 67 years in May 2012. He is survived by his three sons, Dr. Michael Alan Gordon and wife Mary of Sanford, North Carolina, Steven Roger Gordon and wife Sharon of Brattleboro, Vermont, and Dr. John David Gordon and wife Dr. Allison Smith of Bethesda, Maryland. He is lovingly remembered by his nine grandchildren and celebrated the birth of his first great-grandchild last July.
Funeral services were held at Stanetsky Memorial Chapel, 475 Washington Street, Canton, on Friday, August 2 at 2:00pm.
Interment followed at Sharon Memorial Park, Sharon, MA.
In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions in Edward's memory may be made to the Dr. Edward T. and Claire Gordon Family Scholarship Fund, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111.
