Gordon Burgess Pratt

Gordon was born in 1931 at 255 Old Harbor Road in Chatham within sight of where he died. He was born to Kenneth and Louise (Eldredge) Pratt.

Gordon was a descendant of Joshua Pratt who arrived in Plymouth on the “Good Ship Anne” in 1623. Gordon grew up in Chatham where he graduated from Chatham High School in 1949. He was an active member of the Chatham Methodist Church during his years in Chatham before he joined the United States Air Force. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1949. During his time in the Air Force, he enjoyed his numerous temporary duty assignments around the world. Gordon served for 12 years as part of the maintenance crew on Air Force One at Andrews AFB Maryland, where he served five consecutive presidents from Eisenhower through Ford. Gordon spent one year in Vietnam at Phu Cat Air Base. He retired from the Air Force in 1973. He also retired from the Chatham Trust Company in 1988 and worked at the Chatham Post Office. He was the treasurer of the Chatham Salvation Army, worked with the Cancer Society, the Heart Association, the March of Dimes and the Jimmy Fund. He was a member of the Chatham Ceremonial Committee for 12 years, the Chatham Historical Society, the Chatham Lodging Association, the Cape Cod Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans and the Chatham Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a very active golfer at the Chatham Seaside Links. Gordon enjoyed traveling with Jean abroad to Europe, Hawaii and Japan to visit family and friends.

Jean was truly the love of his life and he enjoyed using his woodworking and maintenance skills to build and fix things for her. Gordon’s legacy includes a long line of descendants who were family and community minded. Following in those footsteps, Gordon has been a source of wisdom and compassion for his family, his community, and many people who sought his sage advice.

Gordon leaves behind his soulmate of 64 years, Jean Macdonald Pratt, sons, Andrew Pratt (Jolene) of Wiggins MS, Mike Pratt (Tina) of Chatham MA, Scott Pratt (Heidi) of Gorham ME, Greg Pratt, from previous marriage, of Naples FL, 12 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Gordon is predeceased by his brothers Herb and John.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 3, at 1 PM at Redemption Rock Church, 195 Meetinghouse Road, South Chatham, MA. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Broadreach Hospice of Cape Cod.