Tribute to a true Hastings man and Old Towner

Gordon was known for the poems he wrote about the town that he loved and wrote a beautiful response when Hastings Pier was badly damaged by fire in October 2010, predicting that it would rise again.

Many of Gordon’s poems were published in the Hastings Entertainer and can still be found online.

Born in Hastings, one of nine children, he was the son of the late Jim and Trixie Butchers, who have a memorial seat on the steps leading up to the East Hill.

Like many Old Towner’s Gordon attended Hastings Secondary School for Boys, known as Priory Road.

Gordon was a gardener at Hastings Cemetery, where he worked for more than 30 years.

Daugher Holly said: “My dad was a true Hastings man and the kindest soul you would ever meet. He came from a family of old Towners and fishermen.

“He was a keen photographer and loved nature and the outdoors. He frequently had one of his photos shown on the end of the TV news after the weather.

“He was the best Dad to me, father in law to Ben and Grandad to Harper and Archie, he gave them a love that will never be replaced and memories which we will carry with us for a life-time.”

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