Obituary of Gordon A. Gott

Gordon A. Gott, 91, of Palm Bay, passed away on Friday, December 12, 2014. Gott was a warm-hearted man and an expert mechanic. He could make anyone laugh and he loved life until the last day, when he passed away peacefully at home. Born June 22, 1923 in Algonac, Michigan to Gordon and Ethel Gott. His mother died at a young age from a brain aneurysm. He moved to Miami, Florida, where he graduated from Miami Senior High School. Gott served in the 276th Ordnance Company of the U.S. Army, helping to invade Normandy, Belgium, and the Rhineland of Germany. From a young age, Gott knew how to fix equipment by working at his fatherGÇÖs restaurant and taxi businesses. The Army taught him even more. GÇ£We were just young and foolish. We didnGÇÖt have any fear until the bombs started falling nearby,GÇ¥ Gott remembered. Being enlisted in the Army meant always feeling GÇ£wet, cold, and scared,GÇ¥ but he enjoyed the work and being with his friends in the 276th. They mustered out in Fort Knox, KY., at the end of the war. In 1952, Gordon met the love of his life, Katharine Lorraine Quigley. Although a New England girl, she worked at the time as a nanny in Miami. They married soon after their introduction, and were together for 56 years until her passing in 2008. GÇ£(Katharine) was always up to date on her fashion, always so clean; everything was just so with her,GÇ¥ Gott said. GÇ£If I ever needed anything she was right there.GÇ¥ They raised and are survived by their sons, Gordon C. Gott, of Palm Bay, Brian and Liz Gott, of Palm Bay, and daughter Kimberly and Christopher Norton, of Malabar. Gott believed in hard work and family. For 30 years, he owned/operated a Maytag repair business in the Miami area, and then relocated to Palm Bay. In order to be involved in the lives of his grandchildren, he worked as a school crossing guard and head custodian at Lockmar Elementary, in Palm Bay. Gott was outgoing, a great storyteller, and always quick with a joke, or a hug when necessary. He loved animals and cared for two abandoned dogs during his later years. Warm, caring and fatherly, he was a GÇ£papaGÇ¥ figure to many in the community. He was a proud grandfather to Jeremy Cook, Haley and Amanda Gott of New Market, Alabama; Christopher Gott, of Hendry County, Georgia, Carrie Gott Winchell, of Palm Bay, Chris Gott, of Orlando, Kaitlin Norton, of Melbourne Beach, Brian Norton and Kevin Norton, of Arlington, Virginia. In addition, he leaves behind eight great-grandchildren. Arrangements entrusted to Ammen Family Cremation and Funeral Care, Palm Bay, (321)724-2224.Gordon A. Gott was a devout Catholic and proud member of Our Lady of Grace, 300 Malabar Road, SE, Palm Bay, 32907. A memorial mass will be held at the church on December 19th at 1:00 pm.In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Central Brevard Humane Society.