SID GORDON, age 88, provides positive and empowering words of wisdom as the Disabled American Veterans Marcelle Nolan Chapter 158 Chaplain.
“I have the words to fit,” he said.
When Joe Pennell asked him to become the spiritual leader Gordon is today, he didn’t realize it would be the best job he’d ever had.
“I get more satisfaction when I help somebody – it makes me bloom when I see something happening for them,” he said.
It is a job he’s learned how to do through a lifetime of experiences guided by a philosophy of appreciation.
“Life is so precious, so tender, so you have to treat it accordingly,” he said.
1. Trust Your Gut
Gordon’s parents came to Saratoga Springs in 1917 and lived in the small Jewish community known as “the Gut.” One of the oldest families in the Congregation Shaara T’fille, Gordon’s father owned Saratoga Metal Works while his mother dreamed of her son becoming a Rabbi.
At the age of 10, Gordon attended seminary at 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, but soon used what money he had to buy a ticket home.
“I knew what I wanted and what I didn’t want,” he said. Hitchhiking at midnight from where the boat dropped him off in Albany to get back to Saratoga Springs, the young Gordon said returning felt like heaven to him.
“When I climbed over the fence and saw Sperry’s bar room and dance pavilion (which was right next door to our house) I felt right at home,” he said.
2. Lead With Your Heart
After attending Saratoga Springs High School, at age 17, Gordon spent two years in the Special Forces during World War II. Returning in 1948, he worked as a salesman at Reliable Furniture before becoming a police officer.
“I had no reason not to want to help,” he said.
At this job, his empathy often got in the way, however. Anxious to avoid issuing even a parking ticket, he remembers searching for violators in downtown businesses to request they move their cars instead.
Gordon’s next job made him and his customers feel good, which suited him better. Gordon became the “music doctor.” He started out selling and repairing jukeboxes locally before working as a distributor for the Seeburg Corporation for 20 years.
Gordon has been married to his wife, Helen for 35 years. Gordon still refers to her as “his girlfriend” and smiles joyously at the sight of her.
“She made me a better person,” Gordon said.
Helen recently celebrated her 90th birthday. They have six children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
3. Retire to Something
For Gordon, retirement was just the beginning of his life’s second act.
“I didn’t want to retire, after a week or two, I decided that’s enough,” he said.
Some of his occupations since then have included running GFM Janitorial Services, working for North American Recycling, as a literary agent for Choice Advertising and as the Regional Manager for the Bivouac Veteran’s News. These business endeavors outgrew his expectations despite his concerns that he had “too much heart.” Gordon however, said he appreciates all the successes he and his family have enjoyed.
“It’s better to wear out than rust out,” said Gordon.
Taking pictures of unusual signage and curious animals, playing golf and fishing have been some of his favorite hobbies, but it’s the nice people Gordon’s met that have really had an impact on him.
“You can count your true friends on one hand and you don’t need all of your fingers,” he said.
4. Resolve To Rise
One of Gordon’s longtime friendships was with Stephen Einstein. In 2014, Gordon worked with Einstein on his memoir, “My Uncle Albert” (available on Amazon).
“As unusual as Albert was, Stephen was three times as unusual,” said Gordon.
The book chronicles Stephen’s life at his father, Alfred Einstein’s Glens Falls restaurant, and shares the intimate family secrets of Alfred Einstein, his famous uncle.
Gordon finds the subject fascinating. It’s one of the things that helps keep him so vibrant.
“If you’re strong enough mentally, you can get over how the body feels. Good memories are ultra-important to the body and mind,” said Gordon.
5. Have Faith
The power of having faith is something Gordon is reminded of each time he pulls a fragile dollar bill from his wallet. This momento is from a harrowing flight from Syracuse to Albany when one of the plane’s engines caught on fire.
“Everything is going to be fine. This pilot will bring us in ok,” he said to comfort the woman sitting beside him. They returned safely and she signed the bill, “God Bless You” for the unforgettable service he provided to her that day.
“Know there is some hope, you can’t give up the ship. You can always do something. Pull yourself up by your bootstraps and start the goodness going,” advises Gordon.
