Joseph K. Gordon ’47

Joe, a highly respected attorney, banking executive, and philanthropist died Oct. 5, 2015.

A graduate of Episcopal Academy, he did not begin his Princeton career until he had served three years in the Navy, including seven months on a light cruiser. After his service, Joe enrolled at Princeton, where he earned an English degree in 1947. He received a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1951.

Joe was a revered corporate attorney with Ballard  Spahr and then with Montgomery, McCracken, Walker & Rhoads from 1990 until his death. For 31 years, he served as chief counsel and executive vice president of the Philadelphia National Bank and its successor CoreStates Bank, where he is credited with creating the bank’s first credit card and its participation in the First Nationwide credit-card program (now known as “Visa”). A longtime emeritus member of its board of trustees, Joe served as chairman of the Lankenau Medical Center. He was involved in the formation of Main Line Health and served as its president and CEO.

Most central to Joe’s life was his beloved wife of 56 years, Ray, who died on the same date as Joe four years earlier. The class extends its deepest sympathy to their children Sarah, Leila, Hunter ’84, and Scott; and six grandchildren.