Bruce H. Gordon, Jr.

Bruce H. Gordon, Jr., age 92, of Middletown, DE, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, December 22, 2023.

Bruce was born in Wilmington, DE on May 26, 1931, the middle child of Bruce H. Gordon, Sr. and Anne E. Bryson Gordon. He grew up on the banks of the Delaware River and Battery Park in New Castle, Delaware, with his sister, Olive Lemmey (deceased at age 93) and Nancy (Charles, deceased) Moore. He graduated from William Penn High School, served in the Navy Seabees, in Guam and The Philippines. Honorably discharged in 1953, Bruce returned home and joined his father’s business to learn the craft of historic building restoration. He attended the University of Delaware and Temple University to study architecture and drafting. Upon his father’s retirement, Bruce assumed the family business and operated as Bruce H. Gordon Contractor, Inc., doing restorations to historic structures from New Castle to Odessa and beyond, for 30 years until his retirement.

Bruce met his wife, Kay, while working together on a church renovation project, and they married on June 30, 1990, and lived on Third Street until a move to Middletown, DE. This union brought together a blended family: Bruce’s daughters, Valerie Bennett (Jimmy) and Stephanie Delaney, and Kay’s children Pamela Kline and Christopher Kline (Margaret): Grandchildren – Nicholas Catalutch III (deceased), Tiffany Adams (Micah), Melissa Delaney, Christopher Delaney (Jane), and Corey Delaney (Vanessa); Greatgrandchildren – Kamrin and Kristian Thomas; Brooklyn Pontious-Catalutch, Gianna Catalutch, Novi and Nicholas Adams; Hannah (deceased), Layla, and Stella Delaney. Step-grandchildren – Jacob Kline (Ashley) and Reilly Kline (Eric). Also survived by nieces Linda Wood (Bill), Lisa Cullen (Jimmy) and nephew Sam Moore (Cathy.)

A game of chess was always ready when grandchildren gathered round. Fun times in the side yard during New Castle special celebrations and sports activities of the children were always a joy. He enjoyed being a Granddaddy so much, he would stop by, plop himself on the floor just to play with them.

Bruce, a life-long member of the New Castle Presbyterian Church served in many ways, as a trustee, restorer of found relics and the communion table, to name a few. He was a founding member of the New Castle Jaycees, a member of New Castle Rotarians, Trustees of the New Castle Common, 12 years, he considered it an honor to serve the community. He worked closely with architects restoring Booker T. Washington School to house the New Castle Senior Center. Also, he was involved with restoring the New Castle Court House many years prior to the current restoration – creating a glass window in the floor area to expose artifacts found during the restoration.

In retirement Bruce continued to add architectural details to a new home, renovate, restore and make furniture, rocking horses, doll beds and venture into more projects as an artist.

Always to be remembered as a good and humble man of dry wit concerned with family and community.

A grateful thank you to the Heartland Hospice Team for care, comfort, and support during the last 2 years.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 1 pm until 2 pm on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at the Meeting House of the New Castle Presbyterian Church, 25 East Second Street, New Castle, DE, where a Service of Witness to the Resurrection and in Celebration of the Life of Bruce will begin at 2 pm.

Any family members or friends who are unable to attend the service for Bruce may live stream the service by clicking here.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to New Castle Presbyterian Church at the above address, or online by clicking here.