Gordon E. Tait

In Loving Memory of

Gordon E Tait
1934 - 2023

On Friday October 13th 2023, Gordon E Tait, Loving Father of four sons, passed away.

Gordon was born on June 9th 1934 to Gordon and Francis Tait. Gordon attended old East High school where he met the love of his life, Jean Griffin. On June 13th 1953, they were married and had four sons. Mark, Robert, David and Timothy.

Gordon had many passions in life and one was music. He played the saxophone in Johnny Matts Big Band. He also loved sports and was a huge NY Giants and Yankees fan. He entered the service right after he and his wife wed and served in the US Air Force. He was stationed on Guam for 3 years and was a bombardier and instructor on B-47's during the Korean War. He flew both bombing missions over Korea and spy missions over the old USSR during this time. He later returned to the states to serve out his final year in Florida where he commanded the Honor Guard attachment for fallen Airmen. Once free of his service obligations, Gordon drove the long 2 lane highway all the way back up to Rochester NY in his 49 Ford. Once home, he and his wife built their life. Gordon began work at Kodak and it became a job he would have for over 30 years. He rose to the highest engineering level and became a project manager, running their copy products division. The last year he headed that division, it earned over a billion dollar profit for Kodak and he retired shortly afterwards.

Gordon built his life in Rochester NY. He loved sports and played hockey in the amateur leagues around the city. He was the president of the Rochester Metro Hockey League and played in it with all four of his sons. He always attended all his son's Hockey games and was a fixture at the rinks cheering them on. He would see all of those sons grow up, marry and start their own lives. He had a love of high performance cars and had several that he enjoyed very much over the years. He and Jennie went on a few long vacations, from the beaches of Hawaii to a coast to coast road trip that defined their middle years together. In his later years he reveled in the love and affection of his 7 grand children who he enjoyed very much. In 2003, he and Jennie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. It was great moment for them as it was the only time all their grand children were together at one time. They would go on to be married for another 18 years making it just shy of their 67th anniversary when Jeannie passed away from a long battle with cancer. Gordon was never the same after the loss of his beloved wife. He was many things to many people. He was a son, a husband, a father and a veteran. He lived a life that should be celebrated and remembered.

Gordon was preceded in death by his Father Gordon and his Mother Francis. He is survived by his four sons, and all his beloved grand children. Gordon will be receiving a military funeral complete with Honor Guard in a graveside ceremony at White Haven Memorial Park on November, 3rd at noon.