Joshua Paul Gordon

Joshua was born in Philadelphia; his parents were Sol and Judith Gordon who adopted Joshua when he was a toddler. Not much was known about the significance of bonding and attachment in adoption in those days. It was thought love was enough and had it been Joshua would have had the foundation he needed in life. He was very loved.  His family lived for most of his childhood in New Brunswick, New Jersey until they moved to Syracuse when Josh was in high school. His father was a psychologist and his mother a social worker. Josh attended Windsor Mountain School, of which he had many fond memories, and Syracuse University. 

As an adult Joshua lived in Minneapolis for a few years, and then California where he remained until 2009 when he moved to Lahaina, Hawaii where he felt most at home. He married Carmen Haiden in 2002 which ended in divorce; however, they remained close friends until her death some years later.  Joshua left Hawaii in 2021 and moved back to Philadelphia to seek medical care and to live with his girlfriend, Lisa Walters.  

A motorhead through and through, he earned his living detailing and restoring cars and motorcycles. He was a perfectionist and derived great joy from making people happy. He was kind to strangers and lived a simple life, although life was not always easy. His ability to survive adversity with enormous gratitude was one of his greatest gifts. One of his close friends noted that Joshua was the most complicated “simple” guy he ever knew. How true. Josh was very smart, very funny, loved politics, theatre, movies, and history, but more than anything he loved his constant companion, Lola, his 16-year-old Jack Russell Chihuahua mix who really was his “daughter”. 

Josh had severe arthritis and spinal stenosis for which he endured multiple surgeries over the last two years. He was a rock star, did not complain, recovered in almost magical ways. He was incredibly strong. Facing what was to be his last, and largest spinal surgery, his world was full of hope. He fought harder to restore his mobility and life than anyone I have ever known. Tragically he died on March 18, 2024, from complications after this last surgery, which speaks to how unfair and random life can be. This sweet man deserved so much more of the happy and secure times in life. 

Joshua will be forever loved by Lisa, her daughter Charlotte, Lola, Jax (our new puppy), his wonderful cousin Dan Feldman and his wife Lynda, Toby, and those friends who knew what a special human being he was. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date to be announced. 

Lisa can be reached at walterslr@msn.com