Lynbrook's 2011 Man of the Year: Bob Gordon

When he was 17 years old, Bob Gordon rescued an elderly woman from a house fire in East Rockaway.

Perhaps that motivated him to help others throughout his life, because that is exactly what he did over the next 28 years, and the reason for him being named Lynbrook's 2011 Man of the Year.

"It's an extremely unexpected honor," said the 45-year-old Gordon. "I knew my wife and I made the right decision to settle in Lynbrook, but even more importantly, to raise our children here … because these are the kinds of people — [residents] — that I want them to emulate. It's an unbelievable, fantastic village and I'm very proud to live here."

Gordon teaches religious education at Our Lady of Peace. Carol Burak, a parishioner who nominated Gordon, recalled a story of when he helped a family in need of food.

Gordon invited his students into his home to cook up meals, including lasagna, to help the family. "The example he gave his class was one of selflessness — compassionate care and reaching out to those in need," Burak wrote. "It was a lesson some of his students will never forget."

Gordon also runs the CYO sports program at Our Lady of Peace, where he promotes sportsmanship and dedication. Friends say that despite a busy schedule of work, family, and community involvement, Gordon is never too busy to help others.

"It gives me great pleasure to be able to nominate Bob Gordon as Lynbrook's 2011 Man of the Year, not because he has built a monument or saved someone in distress," Burak said," but because he is the caliber of which the people of Lynbrook are noted for — sincerity, honesty, self-giving and a strong and caring human being."