Gordon Stanley Mortlock, 86, most recently of Lynn, MA passed away on Sunday, August 21, 2022, of complications from metastatic kidney cancer. Gordon was born on January 1, 1936, in Misericordia Hospital, NY, the only child of Claire Adele Burroni Hendrickson Mortlock and Cecil Stanley Mortlock. His siblings from his parents' previous marriages were Benjamin Ray Hendrickson and Rita Melnyk. Gordon was first married to Marilyn Collins of Bronxville, NY in October 1961 and subsequently married to Kathleen (Kay) Murphy of Queens, NY in February 1977.

He is survived by his first wife, Marilyn Collins, of Salem, MA. His children: daughter Robin Taliesin and her wife Marianne Murphy of Marblehead, MA; son, John Mortlock of San Francisco, CA; and son, James Harrington Mortlock and companion Paige Paulson of Vallejo, CA. His grandchildren: Julia Taliesin of Cambridge, MA; Benjamin Taliesin of Somerville, MA; and Spencer Harrington Mortlock of Vallejo, CA. And many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was predeceased by his second wife, Kay Mortlock (dec. 2007). His brother, Benjamin Ray Hendrickson (dec. 2002), and sister, Rita Melnyk (dec. 2005). And other extended family members and friends who were cherished and missed.

Gordon was baptized and confirmed at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Mount Vernon, NY as a youth. Later on, he was active with his wife, Kay, at the St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Benicia, CA. Due to his deep, abiding relationship with the natural world, he also honored life and spirit through the druidic faith and was a member of the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids (OBOD).

Nicknamed "Flash" as a boy, Gordon went on to have a long and varied life. Graduating from the A. B. Davis High School in 1953 and doing some coursework at NYU, formal education wasn't his favorite endeavor, but he was a highly intelligent, well read, and inquisitive person. Well balanced between left and right brain interests, he was fascinated by all kinds of scientific explorations, philosophy, history, and cartography as well as being a student of the arts and a prolific painter. He was an active member of Arts Benicia.

Gordon served as a Private, First Class, in the U.S. Army during the Korean War period. He started his computer programming career at Con Edison in NY and finished it at ADP in CA, with forays into sales (Apple) and self-employment (Notary) along the way. On the side, he had turns as a Boy Scout pack leader and town official.

Gordon loved driving and was a great sports car enthusiast. Many remember him in his cherry red, bug-eyed Austin Healey Sprite, in which he used to participate in gymkhanas and rally races. He was a member of the Sound Shore Sports Car Club (S 3 C 2 ). He travelled cross-country numerous times on four wheels.

Gordon loved nature, particularly the seashore and the mountains. Living close to the coast both during his earlier years in NY and in his later years in CA, he enjoyed time at the beach and the opportunity to get out on the water when he could. He loved to go camping, especially at Indian Lake in the Adirondacks on the East Coast and at Lake Siskiyou on the West Coast, and to canoe the white waters such as the Steel Bridge Run on the Trinity River.

Gordon loved trains and the railroad and a life-long hobby of his was being an HO gauge model railroader.  While in CA, he was a long-time member of the Carquinez Model Railroad Society. He could spend hours creating incredible miniature landscapes for the small trains to traverse.

Gordon loved music, especially if it had a bit of a twang. He added percussion to many a jam session and open mic night as well as played at and attended innumerable concerts with both of his sons.  Most of all, Gordon loved people. He was a beloved family member and friend of many. A gentle soul who listened more than he spoke and took people as they came.

There will be a time to gather and share memories of Gordon on both the East Coast and the West Coast.

On the East Coast, there will be a gathering at the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal Street, Salem, MA 01970 on Friday, September 2, 2022, from 4 – 8 PM. Memorial expressions can be sent to the Murphy Funeral Home or a gift can be made in Gordon's name to the Sierra Club.

On the West Coast, there will be a memorial service at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 120 East J Street, Benicia, CA 94510 date and time to be announced soon. Memorial expressions can be sent to the church or a gift can be made in Gordon's name to the Sierra Club.

OAK SOUL
Strong the oak
broad spreading branches
cool the shade
deep reaching the roots
mighty the soul.
All held in trust
by the acorn fallen ripe and ready
tumbling from the canopy above
squirrel planted, growing climbing
straight through storms and droughts
of years' turnings.
Strength to strength
long enduring majestic presence
kindred and companion
journey well
your spirit be embodied
in many oaks yet unacorned
on the mother tree.
– Merchywen