Dr. Gordon C. Smith

Dr. Gordon C. Smith

Mathematics Teacher at South Plainfield High School

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Gordon Charles Smith, age 76 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died on Saturday, February 4, 2012 in the Hunterdon Medical Center, Raritan Township, NJ.

Born in Lyndon, Vermont on June 6, 1935, he was the son of Gerald Henry Smith and Georgia Craig Smith. He grew up in Lyndonville, Vermont and was a graduate of Lyndon Institute where he later taught math, English, and Latin. He earned a BA from the University of Vermont with a triple major in math, English and Latin; an MA in Mathematics from the University of Vermont; an MS in Mathematics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY; and a Doctor of Education in Mathematics from Teachers College, Columbia University in NY City.

He served in the US Army in Frankfurt, Germany as chief statistician for the Third Armored Division. He taught math as an instructor at the University of Vermont in Burlington, VT; an assistant professor at Norwich University in Northfield VT; an adjunct instructor at NJIT in Newark, NJ; and was employed by the South Plainfield school system for 28 years as a math teacher and Coordinator of Mathematics and Music before retiring in 1999.

He lived in North Plainfield, NJ for 17 years before moving to Flemington, NJ 21 years ago.

Dr. Smith was a multi-talented person. He enjoyed playing the piano; and had played violin, clarinet, and guitar as well. He loved to paint and when he lived in Vermont exhibited some of his paintings in juried shows. He enjoyed crafts, and was an excellent cook and baker. He also loved to garden. He was an avid skier and fisherman when he lived and taught in Vermont.

He was a member of Calvary Episcopal Church in Flemington, NJ where he had served on the vestry. He was a past member and convener of the Flemington Chapter of the Order of Saint Luke, practicing laying on of hands and prayer for those in need of healing.

He is survived by his best friend and wife of forty years Frances P. Smith; his daughter Sarah Sajorda and grandsons Kyle and Kaden Sajorda of Hillsborough, NJ; his daughter Jennifer Alworth and son-in-law Christopher Alworth of Howell, NJ; a brother Gerald H. Smith Jr. of Lake Geneva, WI; a cousin Virginia Hodges of East Haven, VT; and a mother-in-law, Lillian Puzio of Hillsborough, NJ.

Funeral Services will take place Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in Calvary Episcopal Church, Broad Street and New York Avenue, Flemington, NJ under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. Interment will follow in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Capner Street, Flemington, NJ. Calling hours will be Tuesday from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Funeral Home. Please visit www.holcombefisher.com for further information or to send condolences.

Donations may be made to the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund: Episcopal Relief & Development, P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058, 1-855-312-HEAL or via the website at www.er-d.org.