Obituaries
Gordon P. Symonds, Jr., 78
June 28, 2013
Gordon P. Symonds, Jr., 78, a man of ideas and not “things,” died June 25 at Landis Homes Retirement Community. He is survived by his wife, Carole A. (Beck) Symonds, to whom he constantly referred as “the best thing that ever happened to me.” They met on a blind date (she as a substitute), and would have been married 54 years on August 22.
He is also survived by three children, Sheryl A., of Lancaster; Gordon P., III (Ted) and his wife Kim of Salunga; and John W. and his wife Kimberly of Omaha, and three grandchildren, Kyle, Shane, and Macayla.
He was born on October 31, 1934 in Boston, the son of the late Gordon P. Symonds, Sr. and Mary E. (Mummert) Symonds. In 1939, his family moved to Millersville, where he had many fond memories of growing up on Kready Avenue.
Gordon graduated from the former Manor Millersville High School in 1952; he was recognized for his contributions to education by the Penn Manor Alumni Association in 2007. He matriculated at Franklin and Marshall College, graduating in 1956 with a B.A. degree in English. He served in the U.S. Army at Fort Knox and taught at Edward Hand Junior High School for three years. He earned an M.Ed. in English from Millersville University in 1966, and completed additional post-graduate coursework at the University of Delaware.
In 1963 he was hired as an instructor in the English Department at Millersville University, where he taught for 35 years until his retirement as an associate professor in 1998. Gordon’s interest in and about “the Ville” continued as he thoroughly enjoyed his retirement activities of bagging groceries at John Herr’s Market and working out at the SMAC fitness center on the MU campus. He penned a chapter entitled “Model School Memories” for inclusion in the commemorative book about the 250th anniversary of Millersville Borough.
An avid Red Sox fan, he became a life-time member of the Fenway Faithful in 1946, reading his last box score over the weekend. In addition to sports, Gordon enjoyed engaging in conversation (and debate) about current events with people from all walks of life. A voracious reader and consummate storyteller, he also enjoyed listening to all types of music, particularly from the 1960s, which was his favorite decade. Most of all, Gordon was faithful to and proud of his family until the end.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, July 1 at 11 a.m. at Saint Paul Lutheran Church, 222 North George Street, in Millersville, with The Rev. Constance Mentzer, Pastor officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. In keeping with Gordon’s wishes shortly after his diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease) in early 2010, Gordon’s body was donated to the ALS Center for Hope at Drexel University. A private committal service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to benefit the Adult Day Services program at Landis Homes, 1001 East Oregon Road, Lititz, PA, 17543.
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Condolences to the Family
August 07, 2013
What a wonderful person. I’m sorry I never got to meet him but I sure enjoyed hearing stories from Sherry! I’m so sorry for your loss. Although this is so difficult, it is comforting to know that Jesus promises that there will be a resurrection (John 5:28,29)
Lisa Oberholtzer
July 17, 2013
this is Cathi Mathias Morrison, John and Carolyn’s daughter. Please accept our condolences and you are in our prayers. Our family just keeps getting smaller. Dad is doing ok. May God be with you in this time of loss.
July 17, 2013
Carole and Family,
We were sorry to read about Gordon’s passing in the Millersville Exchange. We have lots of great memories of our times at Millersville from 1969 through the nineties. It was a wonderful place to bring up our families and have good friends like you and Gordon. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Fondly, Bud and Jane Smart
July 12, 2013
Carol – We’re so sorry to hear the sad news. You were such great neighbors and we’ve missed seeing Gordon take his many walks throughout the day. He had such a light in his eyes and we all enjoyed talking to him. We’re praying for you and your family. Be strong and hold onto your memories…keep them close to your heart. Please accept our deepest sympathy. ~Kathy, Mickey, Allison and JJ Keck
Indeed, I remember Mr. Symonds as a man of ideas. I had him for an English Composition class around 1985. One day, he gave our class the famous American Gothic painting and told us to write an analysis of what we saw. The painting meant nothing to me. After sitting at my desk for over 20 minutes, I walked to his desk with great embarrassment and humiliation to hand him my blank sheet of paper. Nonetheless, the class was great as we read a novel and wrote many essays.
Today, I am an ESL teacher for adults. My greatest joy is equipping my students to express themselves through writing. As we work through the process of writing, I often think back to my English Comp class with Mr. Symonds and smile.
Please accept my sincere condolences.
Daniel Gingrich
It is with great sadness and heartfelt sympathy that I give unto Carole and her family of Gordon’s passing. Gordon will be greatly missed by all who he has touched during his lifetime. I had the greatest pleasure of working at John Herr’s as a cashier and many times Gordon was my bagger for the day. I enjoyed listening to his knowledge and experiences that he had shared with me and always will cherish them. I pray that you all will find peace and solace that he is no longer in pain, nor suffering. God bless you all.
Sincerely,
Lori Cauler and Family
Sherry and Family,
I read of Professor Symonds’s death with great sadness. As a former student of his, I considered him a mentor and a friend. He introduced me to the joys of English literature and to the books that have remained dear companions for decades. Having grown up in Millersville and attended college there as well, I appreciated his obvious love and enthusiasm for the town we shared. I looked forward to seeing him at Ric’s Breads when he worked there and at John Herr’s. Our conversations seemed to pick up where they had left off the last time, and he always had an amusing anecdote or political opinion to share with a likeminded old friend. I miss that.
I send my deepest sympathy to you. His memory will be cherished.
Sincerely,
Ginny Carroll
Mitzi, Cherie, Ted, John & family,
We were saddened to hear of Gordon’s death. All of you have been suffering for quite some time, so may you now find peace and solace that he is no longer in pain, nor suffering. May he rest in the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Love, Robin, Tom & Molly
My first year at Millersville as a student was your father’s first year as an instructor and I was privileged to be assigned to his Freshman English class. I found him to be a humble, down-to-earth gentleman. As I left his classroom on the last day of the semester, he pulled me aside and whispered in my ear, "If you don’t get an ‘A’ in this course, nobody in this room will." That compassionate remark meant more than he probably ever knew … so much that I still cherish it 50 years later. May God’s love and comfort be with all of you as you move forward. Linda (Hoffman) Brown
We extend our sympathy to Carole and the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We remember many happy times in Millersville. Nancy and Bill Brackbill
