Ira H. Gordon

March 4, 2015, 3:19 pm 0 Edit

GORDON: Ira H. Gordon, a businessman, philanthropist and World War II veteran died at Allegheny General Hospital on March 2, 2015. He was 92. Born in Cleveland, he moved to Pittsburgh in 1950 and was married to his loving wife of 65 years, Nanette Lhormer Gordon, who survives him. Mr. Gordon was born in the roaring ’20s and his formative years were during the Great Depression. He developed an early love of aviation watching barnstormers perform at local fairs. He attended Miami of Ohio, but when war broke out, he enlisted and trained to be a pilot at Pensacola, Fla. He served with distinction as a torpedo bomber pilot in the Pacific Campaign. In 1950 he started Swift Homes, one of the first pre-fab housing companies. It grew to national prominence. These homes of innovative design still dot the tri state area today. In 1982 he embarked on a second career starting General American Corp. He grew GAC to be a strong regional player in the mortgage servicing industry. After rapid expansion, in the year 2,000 he successfully sold GAC to a national venture capital firm. Not content with retirement, he continued to invest in startup companies and real estate until his dying day. Mr. Gordon served on the board of directors, and donated to many charitable organizations. These include but are not limited to: Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, Allegheny Valley School, City Theatre, Pittsburgh Symphony, Carnegie Museum, and Rodef Shalom Congregation. With his wife Nanette, he loved to travel the world. These trips included travel with family, YPO and CEO. Mr. Gordon led early business trips to the USSR and China. For his 80th birthday, he took his entire family to Africa. Above all he was a family man. He is survived by his wife, Nanette Lhormer Gordon, his sons Scott (Ilana) Gordon, Peter (Robin) Gordon and his daughter Jill (David) Stein. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and a niece, Karen Kessler. Services were held at Rodef Shalom Congregation. Interment West View Cemetery of Rodef Shalom Congregation. Contributions may be made to the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, 234 McKee Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. schugar.com.