To his classmates, he was “Skip”; to his Cap and Gown friends, he was “Skipze” (according to Jim Green); and to his Navy shipmates (according to Bill Brewster), he was “Ensign Tiger.” Whatever his nickname, Gordon Hargraves was a devoted family man who did much for his community. He died of prostate cancer April 19, 2012, at his Huntington, N.Y., home.
Born in Gladwyne, Pa., he attended the Haverford School and graduated from Exeter, where, according to John Stone, he was class president. After earning a Harvard M.B.A., Skip joined the business world. He was an advertising executive and later a wealth-management officer for Manufacturers Hanover Trust. He often piloted his Cessna 182 to Maine to see George Wallis and to Baltimore to visit Brewster and Hap Hackney.
His volunteerism is well known. Huntington Hospital, St. Johnland Nursing Center, Caumsett Foundation, The Masters School (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.), and East Woods School were blessed with his deep commitment. Former banking associate Jack Evans, who attended Skip’s standing-room-only funeral at St. John’s Church in Huntington, where Skip was a lay leader, said the service was warm, bright, and a true celebration of Skip’s life. Sincere sympathy goes to his beloved wife, Margy; sons Gordon Jr. and Samuel; daughters Elizabeth Mandy and Anna Hall; and six grandchildren.