Born on April 14, 1930, the only child of Jack and Hanna Gordon, he was a lifelong resident of the Peninsula having spent the last 35 years on the Chickahominy River and Williamsburg, VA.

Alan grew up in Newport News and graduated from Newport News High School. He continued his education, graduating from the University of Virginia, where he was an avid supporter of the Cavaliers. He then continued his studies at NYU Graduate School, but was interrupted by the Korean War, serving as a Lieutenant in the Air Force.

Alan came back to Newport News to join his parents, Jack and Hanna in the family retail business, Hanna's and Junior World, which were leading ladies fashion stores for many years. Hanna's merged with La Vogue and the six stores began operating under the corporate banner of Virginia Specialty Stores. When the chain was sold, it was operating over 120 stores throughout the South.

He is survived by his sons, Mark, and his wife, Sally, and Scott, and his wife, Barbara; his grandchildren Emma, Kate and Julia; and his partner, Janet and her family who made him incredibly happy in the last years of his life. Alan was a very kind and content man throughout his life and will be greatly missed by his many friends and family.

He loved his family; he loved his work; and was a generous contributor to the community, both with his time and his resources. He was an active lifetime member of Rodef Sholom Temple, serving and leading many committees throughout his life. He loved being on the water whether on his boat or water skiing. Alan loved classic movies and music, particularly Broadway show tunes and loved to sing. In his younger years, he was a member of the Peninsula Community Theater and Rodef Sholom Temple's yearly Cabaret.

There will be a graveside service at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 18 at the Jewish Cemetery of the Virginia Peninsula on Kecoughtan Road. The family will receive friends at the United Jewish Community Center following the burial at approximately 12:30 p.m. followed by a Shivah Service at the UJCC at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any gifts of sympathy be made in the form of donations in Alan's memory to: The Endowment Fund of the United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula; Citizens of the World Charter Schools and The National Association of Theater Owners.

Peninsula Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.

Published in the Daily Press on July 17, 2016.
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