Michael Gordy

Michael Gordy, 70, of Tucson, AZ passed away in the early morning of March 19, 2021 at Banner University Medical Center after a long fight with many health issues that were discovered after his hospitalization. He was born in Wilmington, Delaware on June 25th, 1950, graduated high school from Harriton High School in 1968 and received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona in 1979. He grew up on a farm outside of Wilmington, Delaware, moved to Portland, Oregon for middle school and Haverford, Pennsylvania for high school and finally settled down in Tucson for the last 47 years of his life. During that time, Michael was a middle school teacher, teaching the subjects of Math, Social Studies, and Culture. Over his career he taught at Pistor Middle School, Holladay Intermediate Magnet, Townsend Middle School, and Alice Vail Middle School. He was heavily involved in the teacher’s union from the start of his career until after his retirement. He was part of Tucson Education Association, Arizona Education Association, and National Education Association conferences. He worked with Pima County Education Caucus, and Arizona Education Association-Retired, and served as Vice President of TEA and one term as TEA President from 1999-2001. He constantly preached the importance of workers unions in general. Family vacations were spent taking road trips to wherever the NEA conference was being held that summer. When he was not teaching or attending conferences during his summer breaks he worked as a carpenter, building everything imaginable small to big. He built cabinets, bookcases, tables, chairs, refinished antiques, put in hardwood floors, built gazebos, additions to homes, etc. He took pride in his carpentry and was exceptionally skilled at it. He was also highly dedicated to many political causes including but not limited to: education, equality, peace, the environment, and women’s rights. He supported Planned Parenthood, NAACP, Urban League, Southern Poverty Law Center, Pima County School Retirees Association, Cesar Chavez Foundation, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Tucson Clean and Beautiful (Trees for Tucson). In memory of Michael Gordy, in lieu of flowers, please donate to any of the above charities that he was passionate about.

He was survived by his wife Bridget Stoll, son Ian Gordy (Revie), his daughter Caitlyn Young (Mike), his two (soon to be three) grandchildren Jackson, Molly, and baby Gordy, as well as his sisters Sharon West (Rick), Mimi Famiglietti and Suzi Spelbring.

Due to COVID, a memorial for Michael will not be held immediately. His Family will be planting a tree in his honor on Arbor Day. Once it is deemed to be safer to gather, his family and friends will come together to memorialize and honor his legacy at the location of his tree. We will post a notification on his Facebook page to inform friends, co-workers, and fellow activists.