Born: April 10, 1914
Died: March 11, 1986
Married: Edith M. West
Children: Quentin Van Nortwick; Mrs. John (Gail) Martucci; Mrs. Cheryl L. Lewis; Mrs. Frank (Nancy) Soldwedil; and Bonnie Van Nortwick, who predeceased him.
Gordon Van Nortwick was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, and later worked at Ray Brook State Hospital for 41 years as a stationary engineer. The Van Nortwicks house, at 134 River Street, stood next door to the North Elba Town House, where Gordon served as caretaker. After his death the Town acquired his house and tore it down to create more parking.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, March 12, 1986
Gordon Van Nortwick
SARANAC LAKE - Gordon Van Nortwick, 71, of 134 River Street, died Tuesday evening, March 11, at the General Hospital of Saranac Lake.
He had been a lifelong resident of the village, born April 10, 1914, in this village, the son of David and Edna (Dubray) Van Nortwick.
He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, and had been employed at Ray Brook State Hospital for 41 years as a stationary engineer. Mr. Van Nortwick was a member of the Civil Service Employees Association, Ray Brook Chapter, and of the Saranac Lake Fish and Game Club.
He was also a past member of the local Knights of Columbus.
Mr. Van Nortwick was married May 20, 1936, in Saranac Lake to Edith M. West.
He is survived by his wife; a son, Quentin of Jefferson; three daughters, Mrs. John (Gail) Martucci of Fort Smith, Ark., Mrs. Cheryl L. Lewis of Manchester, N.H., and Mrs. Frank (Nancy) Soldwedil of Glens Falls; a brother, R. Miles Van Nortwick of Saranac Lake; three sisters, Mrs. D.C. (Geraldine) Hubers of Saranac Lake, Mrs. John P. (Beulah) McGann of Hicksville, Long Island and Mrs. Herbert (Jeannette) Shatraw of Saranac Lake; 12 grandchildren; two great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
A daughter, Bonnie, predeceased him.
Calling hours will be held Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Keough and Son Funeral Home and include a Bible vigil at 7:30.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held Friday at 11:15 a.m. at St. Bernard's Church with the Rev. John Yonkovig officiating.
Burial will be in Pine Ridge Cemetery in May.
Memorial donations may be made to the Saranac Lake Adult Center.
Excerpt from Adirondack Daily Enterprise, November 11-12, 2017
Brothers in service: Van Nortwick family sent three overseas during WWII
. . . Gordon went in the Navy. . . . Uncle Gordon lived on River Street, near where the North Elba Town House is. He always had a big garden in the back," [said his niece Jerrie Walsh]. When Gordon was in the Navy, Walsh said, he had a job moving ammunition. "I know my Dad once said, 'If Mom knew what he was doing, she'd have put a stop to it.'"
