Joel N. Gordes passed away on June 16, 2024, at the age of 78. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1968. He spent his career flying the RF-4C Phantom II aircraft in unarmed reconnaissance, accumulating more than 130 combat missions over Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with eight oak leaf clusters, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and numerous other decorations and was a rated military parachutist.

His later duties included training of Iranians and delivering fighter aircraft to the Shah's air force. This indirectly led to his career in energy efficiency and renewable energy to get the nation off foreign energy sources and prevent future conflicts over them. In his endeavors to do so, he worked in active solar systems design and aided in over 200 passive solar home designs. He was executive vice president of the New York Solar Energy Industries Association. Joel consulted with several energy organizations nationally and internationally. He received numerous awards from The Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, Northeast Sustainable Energy Association and numerous others.

He spent many years active in democratic politics including two terms as a state representative, serving as House vice-chair of the Energy and Public Utilities Committee from 1987 to 1991 where he passed many laws favorable to clean energy. An ardent environmentalist, he was the primary co-author of Connecticut's first legislation to mitigate climate change in 1990.

Joel served a term as president of The Greater Hartford Folk Music Society and was the author of many folk music songs. Joel taught himself to play the Appalachian dulcimer and made at least 74, which he sold and gave away. When on a legislative trip to the former Soviet Union in 1988 he delighted the company with his singing in Russian, Katyusha and other Russian gypsy songs. Joel enjoyed winemaking, elderberry and elderflower being his specialties. Camping, gardening and cutting firewood kept him in shape.

Joel leaves behind his loving wife of 37 years, Lin; niece, Lisa Escabi; her husband, Monty; son, Holden; and sister-in-law, Barbara Gordes and many dear friends and former colleagues.                                                             (Lin Gordes, wife)

Obituary
Joel N. Gordes, son of the late George S. Gordes and Fannye V. Gordes (Halpern) and brother of the late Neil G. Gordes, passed away on June 16, 2024, at the age of 78. Born in New Britain and a resident there until 10, he was a graduate of Newington High School in 1964 and the US Air Force Academy in 1968. He spent his career flying the RF-4C Phantom II aircraft in unarmed reconnaissance accumulating over 130 combat missions over Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with eight oak leaf clusters, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and numerous other decorations and was a rated military parachutist.

His later duties included training of Iranians and delivering fighter aircraft to the Shah’s air force. This indirectly led to his career in energy efficiency and renewable energy to get the nation off foreign energy sources and prevent future conflicts over them. In his endeavors to do so, he worked in active solar systems design, aided in over 200 passive solar home design and was Executive Vice President of the NY Solar Energy Industries Association.

He spent many years active in democratic politics including two terms as a State Representative from Colebrook, CT serving as House Vice-Chair of the Energy and Public Utilities Committee from 1987-1991 where he passed many laws favorable to clean energy. An ardent environmentalist, he was a primary co-author of the Connecticut’s first legislation to mitigate global warning in 1990.

Joel leaves behind his beloved wife, Lin, niece Lisa Escabí, her husband Monty and son Holden of Wethersfield, his sister-in-law Barbara Gordes of Glastonbury, and many dear friends and former colleagues.

Memorial donations may be made to the Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Road, Newington, CT 06111. Funeral services will be private and at the convenience of the family.