Gordon suffered from rheumatic fever as a child which left him with a heart condition which restricted his physical abilities. Not to be stopped from being involved, Gordon began coaching baseball and hockey. Gordon was one of the founders of the Whitby Hockey Association in 1943-44 and was the manager of the Whitby juvenile hockey team that won the Ontario Championship in 1944. Gordon became involved with the Ontario Minor Hockey Association first as a convener in the early fifties and in 1957 he became an executive member.

From 1968 to 1970, Gordon presided as the O.M.H.A. President. During his career, Gordon helped set up referee clinics throughout Ontario as well as other centres in Quebec, Michigan and Ohio to name only a few. One of Gordon’s major achievements was to help bring a mandatory helmet rule to minor hockey. Gordon was responsible for booking all referees from Toronto to Kingston ( about 6000 referees at all levels)and with his wife Jean, known as Mrs. Hockey, traveled to just about every arena in Ontario. Considered by some to be very gruff, Gordon’s reputation was also one of being very fair. He continued as convener well into the late 1970s.

A lifetime member of the Kinsman Club and chosen as Mr. Kinsmen in the 1950s , Gordon was one of the driving forces behind the Kinsmen Park and Pool. Gordon was a “doer” in everything and when need be he mentored others to help get it done. Gordon was always concerned with the well being of kids. After the war, Gordon was part of the Kinsmen Team from across this country that spearheaded the “Milk for Britain Campaign”. Gordon loved kids and hockey was his passion. He lived by the motto: “NO MAN IS SO TALL AS WHEN HE STOOPS TO HELP A CHILD”. Gordon passed away at the age of 81 on August 27, 1995.