Jerrold A. Gordon

Beloved Husband, Son, Brother, Coach, Teacher, and Poppy

On a beautiful Cape Cod (Chamber of Commerce) day, Jerrold “Jerry” Gordon, born May 8, 1960, passed away on October 7,

2025, after battling cancer, surrounded by love, leaving behind

a legacy of mentorship, devotion, and joy. He was a beloved

husband, son, brother, teacher, coach, and most proudly,

Poppy—a role he cherished above all.

Jerry graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst

in 1983 with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and

Shenandoah University with his Master of Science in Education

in 2017. Jerry dedicated his life to education and coaching

football, shaping young minds and building strong teams across

decades and continents. He taught business education and

computer science, as well as coached football, at Sandwich and

Nauset High Schools on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and at

Woodgrove, Potomac Falls, and Broad Run High Schools in

Virginia. As the founding head football coach at Woodgrove

High School, Jerry laid the foundation for a program built on

grit, heart, and integrity.

While a student at UMass Amherst, Jerry walked on and

became a two-time captain and offensive lineman for the

fighting Minutemen during his tenure. His 40+ year coaching

career spanned collegiate programs at UMass, Northeastern,

and Yale. He also served as a football recruiting assistant at

Boston College. In retirement, Jerry’s passion for the game took

him overseas, where he coached two seasons for the Aquile

team in Ferrara, Italy.

Jerry was the author of two football books on defensive

strategy: Coaching the Under Front Defense (2015) and Split

Field Coverages (2019), sharing his deep knowledge and love

for the sport with coaches and players everywhere.

After relocating to the Cape in 1999, Jerry and Carol opened

The Nantucket House of Chatham B & B. As a couple, they

welcomed travelers from all over the world.

Jerry found joy in life’s simple pleasures—fishing, beach days,

relaxing in his hammock, and working around the house. He

was famously the fastest ice cream eater ever, with a particular

fondness for Short-n-Sweet Ice Cream in Chatham, MA.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Carol;

stepdaughter Jennifer Maulfair (Jim) of Round Hill, VA; stepson

Erik Oblinger (Jackie) of Marlton, NJ; and his cherished

granddaughters Ella Maulfair, Beatrice Maulfair, Macie

Oblinger, and Kendall Oblinger. He is also survived by his

mother, Carole LaRoche of Medway, MA; brother Steven

Gordon (Shirley) of Harvard, MA; sister Joanne Gordon of

Portland, OR; nieces Jessica Malsch (Chris) and Sarah Gordon;

nephews Michael Dreger and Justin Gordon; stepmother Rita

Gordon of Chestnut Hill, MA; step sister Margie Ross Decter

(Adam) of Chestnut Hill, MA and step brother Richard Ross

(Carolyn) of Wayland, MA, and finally by his loyal dog, Bailey,

who was always by his side.

He was predeceased by his father, Richard Gordon.

Jerry’s legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the teams he

built, and the family he loved so deeply. His spirit, humor, and

warmth will be missed beyond measure.

The family wishes to express their deep gratitude for the

outpouring of love and affection from Jerry’s extensive “friend

family”. They lifted us up in the most difficult of times.

Jerry wanted you to keep this quote from John Wesley close

through your days: "Do all the good you can, by all the means

you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all

the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you

can"…and from his mother, “Be good!”

A celebration of life will be held on July 18, 2026 for more details or to rsvp, please email [email protected]. Donations may be made in Jerry’s honor to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital