Samuel J. Gordon, 97, formerly of Storrs, died Monday, Jan. 16 in Tacoma, WA. He did not have COVID -19. Sam had moved West in 2015 where he lived with his daughter, Susan, and son-in-law David Thureson.
Born in Norwich to David and Minnie Gordon, he was youngest of four brothers who grew to adulthood. None survive him. Sam was a devoted husband to his wife, Ruth, who died in 2005, and steadfast parent to Susan and her late brother Robert.
Sam was a proud 1940 graduate of Norwich Free Academy, a WW II veteran who served with the 1054th Corps of Engineers in England and France, a fund-raiser for what is now the Jewish Federations of North America and a member of Congregation Brothers of Joseph in Norwich. In his younger years, he competed in pistol shooting competitions with the Willimantic Gun Club. As an elder, he enjoyed Wii bowling at the Mansfield Senior Center.
After WWII, he worked in his father’s business. The American Waste and Metal Co. was rooted in the resale of scrap, but the availability of military surplus gear prompted a change in direction. Willimantic’s Surplus Center was launched in 1947 and over the following four-plus decades the eclectic retail emporium was a magnet for Main Street shoppers. Sam started out selling fatigues, Army blankets and chinos, but it wasn’t long before he added sporting goods, including guns and ammo. Plus: work clothes and boots, hardware, paint, sneakers, garden tools, toilet paper, and for a time, even toys. The popularity of the place and its unique inventory was a testament to Sam’s entrepreneurial skills.
Later on, Sam opened another Main Street business: Office Furniture Warehouse, which sold used equipment. He retired in 2000 and donated his building to the Windham Area Interfaith Ministry, which is still headquartered there.
In addition to his daughter and son-in-law, Sam is survived by a grandson, Robert Thureson, all living in Eatonville, WA. A graveside ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, at the Brothers of Joseph Cemetery, 38 Route 12, Preston. For more information, contact Church & Allen Funeral Service in Norwich. In lieu of flowers, donations in Sam’s memory may be made to your favorite charity.
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