A. “Pete” Clinton, Gordon

CLINTON, GORDON, AUGUSTUS, "PETE" - INTERLAKEN

Gordon Augustus "Pete" Clinton, age 85, of 2861 State Route 96A, Interlaken, (formerly of Trumansburg and Lillian, AL), passed away at the Schuyler Hospital in Montour Falls on Sunday, October 9, 2005.

Born on May 23, 1920 in Ithaca, New York, Gordon was the son of Wilbur Dewitt Clinton and Harriet Agusta Wise Clinton. On September 5, 1944 Gordon joined the U.S. Army and faithfully defended his country during WW II until the time of his Honorable Discharge on February 5, 1946. After the war, he resided in Trumansburg for many years while working his way up the ladder at Cornell, eventually securing the manager's position at Cornell Graphic Arts before his retirement. In his retirement years, Gordon's home was in Lillian, AL but during much of that time he was putting miles on his motor home as he traveled extensively throughout the western United States and much of Canada. He moved from Alabama to Interlaken two years ago to spend time with his daughter Renee Gates and her family.

Gordon was a Ham Radio Operator extraordinaire and willingly offered his services to the police officers in Alabama when it was necessary to coordinate evacuation efforts in preparation for hurricanes. He and some of his Ham Radio friends also assisted with the communication logistics of Marathons. Gordon seemed to get a great deal of satisfaction from tearing a radio apart and tinkering with it as well. While living in Trumansburg he did many household radio repairs and with the advent of television, he switched to TV repairs.

Serving the community was important to Gordon and his actions proved that as he devoted countless hours to the Literacy Volunteer Program in Lillian, AL. He selflessly gave additional time to the community through his active membership in the local Sertoma Club. Gordon was proud of his lifetime membership in Sertoma.

Gordon was preceded in death by his wife, Roberta Fales Smith Clinton, one brother, Donald and an infant son, Michael. He is survived by two daughters, Renee (William) Gates of Interlaken, NY and Joan Clinton of Murphy, NC; two sons, Nicholas of Washington, CT and Jeff (Candy) of Afton, NY; three step-daughters, Caryl (David) Arsenault of Ithaca, NY, Barbara Snell of Elberta, AL and Allison Benson of Elberta, AL; three step-sons, Tanis (Karen) Smith of Lynchburg, VA, Martin (Cheryl) Smith of Lawrenceville, GA and Jeff (Jo) Smith of Cheektowaga, NY; one sister, Bernice Perkins of Long Beach, CA; his first wife, Ruthe (Ray) Patten of Orlando, FL and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

The family will be present to receive their friends at the Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South St., Trumansburg on Monday, October 17, 2005 from 6-8 pm. Services will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, October 18, 2005 at 10:00 am with the Rev. Derek N. Vande Slunt officiating. Prayers of Committal will follow at the Bath National Cemetery in Bath, NY with a Military Honors Tribute.

Contributions in Gordon's memory may be directed to the American Parkinson's Disease Assn., Southern Tier Chapter , PO Box 72, Binghamton, NY 13903. For additional information, please contact the funeral home at 1-888-534-5446.

Page Submitted By: Joseph L. Sibley, Director