Charles Wendell Gordon passed away in his home in Randolph, MA on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. The LORD blessed him to reach eighty-six earthly years.

Charles was born to Maurice Victor Gordon, Sr. and Ethel Livous Gordon on November 15, 1939, in Baton Rouge, Louisianna. As a toddler, Charles travelled with his parents from Louisianna to Boston, MA where they settled. While living in Boston, the family later welcomed Charles’ younger siblings – Dr. Ethel June Gordon and Maurice Victor Gordon, Jr (deceased). Charles was educated in the Boston Public Schools and graduated from the city’s prestigious English High School in 1957.

As a teenager, Charles met and fell in love with Marinette Wilder. On May 13, 1961, they were married in Roxbury, MA and they remained as one for sixty-one years, until her death on October 26, 2022. Five children were born of this union, Charles G., Barry E., William M. (deceased), Cindy M. and Andrea L.

Charles was a welder by trade, and he taught welding at Wentworth Institute of Technology. While working and raising his five children, Charles continued his education and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Management from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Always a hard and dependable worker, Charles enjoyed a career of holding several managerial and director-level positions. His final position, before his retirement, was him successfully serving as Facilities Services Maintenance Manager at Harvard University.

Charles and his family joined Charles St. AME Church in 1980, under the pastorate of the Reverend Donald C. Luster. A loyal and visible member, Charles tirelessly served in many capacities including as the longtime president and assistant director of the Richard Allen Brotherhood Choir and a tenor vocalist of the Sacred Music Ensemble choir. In addition, he was elected and served, for numerous years, as a church trustee. In the years leading up to the pandemic, Charles effectively served as the director of the church’s Food Pantry. In his reaching his eightieth year in 2019, Pastor Groover conferred him the designation as a Father of the Church. Shortly thereafter, Charles was named a recipient of Charles Street’s annual Mountain Among Men Award.

Charles, also called “Gordon” by his wife and “BG or Brother Gordon” by his children, was not an easy or affectionately expressive man. However, he was consistent, steady and held a commanding presence. One of Charles’ greatest strengths was his gift of being an outstanding provider and, along with his wife, setting a solid and lasting foundation for his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. His greatest pleasures were his wife and family, football, boxing, fishing, going to the gym, singing and playing on the piano, reading the newspaper, watching Western reruns, eating and indulging in the sweets (especially ice cream) and enjoying slices of his sister Ethel’s pound cake. Charles also faithfully donated to many charities and was a loyal Mason with the George Washington Carver Grand Lodge, Inc.

In addition to his wife, Charles was preceded in death by his son William Maurice Gordon “Billy” and brother, Maurice Victor Gordon, Jr.

Charles is survived by his Children: Charles, Barry, Cindy and Andrea; Sister Dr. Ethel June Gordon; Grandchildren Latifa Gordon Sanchez, Kinzena R. Gordon Davis, Barry Gordon Cooley, Charles G. Lamar Gordon, Dakota W. Lowe, Blake W. Gordon. Great Grandchildren Kianni Gordon Thompson, Dalia L. Gordon Davis, Zara Gadson, Providence McGee Gordon and Peace McGhee Gordon, Anthony Sanchez, Andre Sanchez, Alayna Sanchez: Nieces Leah Gordon, DNP, Aiesha Gordon and Nephew David Gordon, other loving relatives, friends and a church family.