Commissioner of Education Donna Frett-Gregory on behalf of the entire Department of Education family expressed sorrow on the passing of longtime St. Croix Educator, Pastor Vincent H. A. Gordon Sr. who was peacefully laid to rest Thursday, Sept. 25.
“We at the Department of Education are deeply saddened by the passing of longtime St. Croix educator Pastor Vincent H. A. Gordon. Although Pastor Gordon had left the Department over 16 years ago his legacy still lives on by the discipline and eagerness for learning he instilled in his former students who are now making useful and indelible contributions to the betterment of the world, and primarily by leaving a generation of educators behind to include his three children who are now employed in the Virgin Islands Education system. Jacqueline Mae is an English teacher at St. Croix Central High and Anna Marie, an assistant principal at Juanita Gardine Elementary School.
His son Vincent Gordon Jr., Ph.D., is now an assistant principal at St. Croix Central High School,” Commissioner Gregory said. “We extend our deepest sympathies to his children and his beloved family and congregation through which his legacy lives on. We wish them well and strength in their period of bereavement.”
Pastor Gordon joined the education family in 1956 when he started serving as a teacher at Charles H. Emanuel Elementary School and then at the Juanita Gardine Elementary School. Pastor Gordon moved on to Christiansted High School, now St. Croix Central High School, where he was an English teacher and English Department chairperson before retiring as an assistant principal at the institution.
St. Croix Superintendent of Schools Gary Molloy said Pastor Gordon won the love and respect of educators, parents and students in the professional manner in which he executed his duties. “Pastor Gordon stood firm in his commitment to providing the type of mentorship that ensured that all students performed at their fullest potential. His inner strength came from this strong faith in God which kept him focused on the good in everyone and his belief that with God all things are possible,” Superintendent Molloy said. “We are going to miss his humility, his dedication and his caring nature toward the people of St. Croix, especially to those in the Department of Education, District of St. Croix,” Superintendent Molloy concluded.
