Jay Richard Gordon

Jay R. Gordon, 90, of Framingham and Boynton Beach, Florida, died Friday, October 3, 2014 at the Metrowest Medical Center in Framingham. He was the beloved husband of the late Ruth S. Gordon to whom he was married for 58 years.

He was the devoted father of James Gordon of Framingham and Peter Gordon & his wife Raquel of Framingham, and the loving grandfather of Daniel Gordon of New York City and Jonathan Gordon of Framingham. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and by his close companion of the last several years Helene Netter.

Born in Boston and raised in Framingham, Jay was the son of Maxwell & Celia Gordon and the brother of Sonia Gordon Mindick. He attended Framingham High School and graduated from the Harvard College Class of 1946. While at Harvard Jay participated on the swim team among other activities. During the Second World Way, Jay served as a meteorologist for the United States Army in Panama and other outposts. After the war, he entered the family business, Gordon Manufacturing Company, established by his grandfather Abraham Gordon and his father Maxwell. Under his guidance and vision, he later transitioned the company into the commercial real estate business, working with his business partner and brother-in-law Arnold Mindick, and later welcoming his son James into the business as the president of Gordon Real Estate. Jay’s grandson Daniel worked in the family business in the early 2000s, and in recent years the business has included Jay’s son Peter and grandson Jonathan.

Jay had a lifelong devotion to community and charitable service. He served as the chairman of the Framingham town finance and personnel boards, and was appointed by the governor of Massachusetts to a special labor bargaining committee. He supported many Jewish causes both in the United States and Israel and was a special honoree of the Combined Jewish Philanthropies. He was president of Temple Beth Sholom in Framingham from 1958-1960. In 2013, as the synagogue’s oldest living former president, he addressed the congregation during a weekend celebration event commemorating the Temple’s 50th anniversary at its current Pamela Road location.

Jay was known by all who knew him as a successful businessman, community leader, formidable intellect and family patriarch. He had many wonderful friends throughout his rich and full life, both in Massachusetts and Florida. His many interests included golf and a wide-ranging love of reading.

Funeral services will be held at Temple Beth Sholom, 50 Pamela Road, Framingham, on Monday, October 6 at 10:00am. Internment will be at the Adath Jeshurun Cemetery, 350 Grove Street, West Roxbury. Memorial observance will take place at Temple Beth Sholom on Monday from 3-6pm & 7-9pm and Tuesday from 3-6pm & 7-9pm.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Temple Beth Sholom, Framingham, MA 01701 or to the Jewish Family Service of Metrowest Framingham, 475 Franklin Street, Framingham, MA 01702.