For the link to view the funeral service scroll down on this page.
Gil Gordon, of Monmouth Junction, passed away on Friday, August 6, 2021 with his family beside him. He was 72.
Born and raised in Warwick, NY, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Northeastern University and a Master’s in Human Resources from Cornell University. After working at Johnson & Johnson for 10 years, he started Gil Gordon Associates in 1982, a firm specializing in Telecommuting.
As a pioneer and innovator in this field, he was highly sought after as a consultant and speaker throughout the United States and the world. He authored multiple books on the subject. One of the leading experts on telecommuting and organizational behavior, Gil was showcased in multiple interviews for local, national, and international news outlets throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
During the past 20 years, he transitioned to his next career – community service and advocacy. These efforts became his full-time job. He was admired and recruited for his ability to analyze situations, address them efficiently, and solve disputes with minimal conflict. Always on the cutting edge, Gil had the foresight to identify the challenges of tomorrow while actively working on the issues of today.
Gil was quietly charitable with both his time and his resources, helping not just people, but communities and organizations in need. He served as a longtime volunteer and board member of JFCS of Greater Mercer County, served as President of The Jewish Center of Princeton, volunteered with Cornerstone Kitchen, and developed and spearheaded the Princeton Period Project.
In addition, Gil served on the Biomedical Ethics Committee at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center, weighing in on difficult decisions before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. These were just some of his local affiliations and positions; he also served on national committees within the Jewish Conservative Movement.
An avid photographer, Gil traveled much of the American Southwest in an effort to capture the perfect shot. He also loved classic cars, and his purchase of a neon green Dodge Challenger in 2020 brought him great joy throughout his illness.
Gil is survived by his wife Ellen, his children Adam Gordon (Kari Hexem) and Lisa (Marc) Rogol, his brother Barry (Barbara) Gordon, grandchildren Zachary, Alexa, Moe, and Asher, his treasured aunt Shirley Gordon and her daughters Joy Markel and Leah Gomberg, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.
Funeral services are Sunday, August 8 at 1:00 pm at The Jewish Center, 435 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ.
All attendees are required to be vaccinated and wear masks. Space is limited. The service will be livestreamed via Zoom. Please scroll to the bottom of the page for details on how to view the service virtually. Burial will follow at Princeton Cemetery. The Gordon family invites all attendees, in-person or virtual, to wear an accessory to celebrate Gil’s love of Hawaii such as a necklace, tie, scarf, or flower.
Virtual shiva will be held Sunday and Monday nights, click here to view Shiva information.
At Gil’s request, memorial contributions may be directed to The Jewish Center General Fund or to JFCS of Greater Mercer County. Kosher canned/ packaged goods may also be donated to JFCS Mobile Food Pantry in his memory.
Funeral arrangements are by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel.
FUNERAL SERVICE SUNDAY 1:oo PM Zoom Information:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84803911936
Meeting ID: 848 0391 1936
So sorry for your sad loss. We loved Gil. Sydney and Jordan
I am so sorry for your loss. Gil was an incredible man. I had the privilege for knowing Gil from The Jewish Center of Princeton. We worked together on the Life and Legacy committee and other events at the synagogue. He was warm, welcoming and very caring. HIs love for the Jewish Center and the community was apparent. He will be missed dearly. May his memory be forever a blessing.
May the family be comforted by the loving memories of their devoted Gil. He was a true mensch who gave so much to so many. I had the privilege of working closely with Gil as he gave so much to the USCJ. His dedicated work as a member of our board and chair of the District Leadership Committee was tireless, insightful and respected by all. He will be missed and may his memory be for a blessing.
I will really miss Gil. He was such a fine fellow, always gentle and kind, radiating warmth and enthusiasm. He was a skillful master of ceremonies for both 55+ and the Medical Ethics Committee at the hospital during the awkward transition to Zoom meetings.
I would like to express my deepest sympathies to Gil’s family and close friends. Though I didn’t know him well, it was easy to see he was a light in our world, a true giver to humanity. May his memory live on in all who knew and cherished him.
Dear Ellen & Family,
Gil was the kindest and most thoughtful person I have ever known. He visited with my husband Jack often when he was in hospice at home. Jack looked forward to his visits, calling me to say Gil needed to know where I kept the tool box, the batteries and other items used to repair whatever was in need of his attention. Gil also listened to his many stories which just made his day!
My daughters, Jennifer Gordon and Rachel Holloway always received emails from Gil offering support when needed and a Mazal Tov when there was a graduation or birth and always a baby gift upon the newest arrival.
I was fortunate to have his help at The Jewish Center from 2007 until I retired last year. He was never too busy to help in any and every possible way. I was lucky to have known him, worked with and for him. My family and I will miss him tremendously.
I have 2 funny stories:
Gil was fixing something at TJC and he needed to make a hardware store run and it was pouring rain. He looked at the clothes rack full of coats that were left behind by congregants and pulled out a yellow hooded slicker. I’m telling you he looked like the Gloucester Fisherman. In any event, about 15 minutes after he left wouldn’t you know it, the owner came looking for it. I had to call Gil on his cell phone and he returned looking a bit embarrassed but chuckling.
The second story was when Gil decided to help with a toilet problem. Unfortunately he was not wearing any protective gear when I saw him disappear into the bathroom. Shortly thereafter a very drenched Gil emerged from that bathroom. He had to go home to shower and change swishing along the lobby floor.
Love and virtual hugs to you all.
Gil was a man for all seasons and a friend in need. My husband and I got to know him through his volunteer service for Secure@Home. While his expertise was invaluable, it was his smile and stride that brought cheer whenever he entered our house. He was fearless in dismantling the most complicated device and did not hesitate to climb up to our attic to find the root of the problem.
When JFCS announced the resumption of the chore corps house calls, I was eagerly anticipating Gil’s visit- not because I needed anything but for the sheer pleasure of having contact with him.
I remember the occasion when he was honored by JFCS some years ago and we were asked to write a comment in the tribute book. I soon ran out of adjectives.
I am house bound and cannot attend the shiva. My heart goes out to his family and all those who mourn the passing of Gill Gordon. He was a model of how to live a life of service and good deeds. May his memory be a blessing.
Gil was a childhood friend and even as a youngster an amazing person. We started out in preschool together and were classmates thruout . I can honestly say he had a heart of gold. I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that you are in my prayers.
What a wonderful person Gil was. He gave so much to others and was a great light in the darkness. I’m sure he is now with God.
Such a loss to his family, friends, community, and the world!!! I knew Gil from his work with telework, although considered him a friend. We had many great times working together, learning, teaching, and laughing. It’s been years since we’ve talked, but I have thought about him many times over the years. Those were really good times. He was so proud of his family and talked about them often. Thoughts and prayers go out to all of you from Sisters, Oregon. Gil toughed many lives in many places.
Having moved away from the Princeton area several years ago, we just became aware of Gil’s recent passing. He was kind, generous, and warm, and gave so much of himself to so many organizations and causes. We will always remember his enthusiasm and camaraderie during our trip to Israel with The Jewish Center in 2007. Please accept our heartfelt condolences on his passing. May his memory be a blessing.
I was so sorry to learn of Gil’s death. Gil was one of the kindest, most thoughtful people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I got to know him at the morning minyan at the Jewish Center when I was saying kaddish for my father in 2006. I am not a member of the Jewish Center, but Gil made me feel welcome. I became a regular at the minyan, and over the years I had many opportunities to see Gil’s sensitivity and kindness to people who had experienced a loss or who were suffering in some other way. I also learned a little about the range of his interests, his devotion to his family, and his love of life. He truly made the world a better place. May you be comforted from heaven.
I was blessed to have Gil enter my life through nonprofit work 30 years ago.
His concern for others, his organizational skills, his love of life and particularly his family were a joy to witness.
I was very saddened to hear of Gil’s passing. A nicer guy you could not find, always eager to help anyone in any way he could! Condolences to his family and friends!