Seymour Gordon is remembered for his extraordinary contributions to the community

Warwick - “The soul of farm preservation in the Town of Warwick.” “His commitment to the Jewish ideal of giving to the community.” “An unconventional and true leader.” Those are just some of the ways people described Warwick resident Seymour Gordon, who died July 28 at the age of 87. Gordon had been discovered early that morning in a pond near Brady Road where he had been fishing. Town of Warwick Police officials have now confirmed that his death was due to natural causes and not from drowning as first reported. Much of Orange County’s beauty has been preserved thanks to the work of Gordon who’s been involved in the promotion of agriculture and open space preservation since the 1940s. He spearheaded the Warwick Purchase of Development Rights Alliance, which subsequently labored to achieve the authorizing of a bond issue that not only permanently preserved more than 2,500 acres of Warwick farmland and saved 17 farms, but resulted in other local improvements including the development of the new Town beach at Greenwood Lake. Gordon received many honors, including the Cornell Cooperative Extension’s “Outstanding Friend of Agriculture,” presented in recognition of his dedication and support of the Agriculture Education Program in Orange County. Earlier this year he was recognized, as a senior citizen, for his “Outstanding Contributions to Orange County.” Seymour Gordon was known as a man of many interests. And, as several people noted, he died doing something that was very dear to him - fishing. Al Buckbee, owner of Bellvale Farms “I first met Seymour when he was a John Deere dealer. I practically had to close the sale because he was more interested in talking about farm preservation than selling me equipment. “Our farm was one of the earliest to sign on for PDR and we were able to use that capital to continue farming and to establish our successful Bellvale Farms Creamery. “Seymour worked long and hard to make that happen. He was a kind and gentle man.” Warwick Mayor Michael Newhard “Seymour Gordon has left us a legacy that defines the future for agriculture in the Warwick Valley. Through his work to develop a PDR Program, countless acres and working farms have been saved. This is a gift, a great gift that will form our future. And this alone may have the most significant positive environmental impact than any action ever made in our community. “I will remember Seymour for his vitality and intellectual curiosity but also because he was a man of the earth - down to earth. Seymour had a long history with farm families throughout our region through his business selling farm equipment. And because of that connection he helped create the needed trust for the PDR Program to be successful. “Seymour was a man of many accomplishments. He helped create The Warwick Conservancy as well as Sustainable Warwick. He was a devoted husband, father and great grandfather. He was dedicated to his Temple and in my mind he acted out his spiritual devotion in his everyday actions and community involvement. He was an unconventional and true leader and we will miss him dearly.” Bob McGrath, Sustainable Warwick “Seymour talked of his commitment to the Jewish ideal of giving to the community, and I can think of few who lived that ideal better. He will be sorely missed. I know I will miss him deeply. The only positive note I can add is that he died fishing, which means that he died doing one of his favorite things in the world.” Warwick Supervisor Michael Sweeton “Seymour would be the first to say he had much help in his PDR efforts, however, he was clearly the driving force, the inspiration and the soul of farm preservation in the Town of Warwick. From his leadership of the FFA advisory board to the PDR referendum to the Community Preservation effort Seymour never wavered from his belief that preserving our farmland was critical to Warwick’s and indeed the region’s future. His legacy will forever be that Warwick will have a viable agriculture industry for generations to come. Family friend Phyllis Briller “Seymour was steadfast in his religious beliefs. He loved his wife, was proud of their daughters and grandchildren and kept up with nieces and nephews. He adapted to computerized technology. In fact he and his wife, Shirley, were computer students of mine 15 years ago. “Seymour had a keen interest in music and the arts. And more than once I’ve heard fund-raising pledges on the radio in honor of his birthday.” Warwick Historian Dr. Richard Hull “What was so remarkable about Seymour was his indefatigable work on saving open space and farmland to ensure a better life not only for his generation but for future generations. Most people work just to benefit their contemporary community but Seymour with his incredible vision was thinking ahead far into the future. He was an inspiration to all ages of fellow residents, from children to seniors: a principled and decisive leader, a great moral force, a sage. He had enormous powers of patience and empathy and was able to always bring out the best in everyone. A dogged optimist in an era of growing pessimism and cynicism, he gave us all hope for a better life and provided a compass to find our way in a world of increasing uncertainty. As a historian I’ve studied our area’s leading citizens since the founding of Orange County in 1683 and I can confidently say that Seymour Gordon ranks among the top one of two percent. He has left an enormous legacy in so many dimensions of existence and has left an indelible imprint on our human and natural landscape. Joy Markel, Seymour Gordon’s daughter expressing the sentiments of his family. “We are so appreciative of the outpouring of love and support expressed by people from the many areas of Seymour’s life and interest. “We know that he left an indelible impression on this community, as he has left an indelible imprint on the hearts of all who knew him. His legacy, besides his loving family, will be the many people he inspired to make his ideals their own.”

The lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us, Footprints on the sands of time. - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow