Israel  (Babe) Maxwell Gordon, 103, of New Haven, died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday morning, February 4. He was President of the George Gordon Company ,New Haven's largest fruit and produce wholesaler. As president of the New Haven Food Terminal, he was instrumental in locating the Long Wharf Theater  there. He was a Director of the Hamden National Bank and several of its successors.  In the late 1960s, he was an owner of  a farm team of the New York Jets. Family was of primary importance in his life. He was married for close to 70 years to the late Adele Adler Gordon whom he adored  He was loved, admired, and served as a life role model for those who knew him. He is survived by his three children, Beth and Michael Davis of Newton, Massachusetts, Cynthia and Philip Strause of San Mateo, California and John and Frances Gordon of New Haven; eight grandchildren – Daniel and Lisa Davis, Jonathan and Kimberly Davis, Gordon and Tina Strause, Charles and Yoshie Strause, Emily and Brian Sena, Anne (Gordon) and Robert Chehade, Geoffrey and Floortje Gordon, and Jenna (Gordon) and Kenneth Ferguson.  He also leaves behind 20 great grandchildren: Zoë, Marc, Joshua, and Emma Davis; Noah, Halle, Hana, Madeleine, and Jeremy Strause; Jacob, Luke, and Maggie Sena;, Juliet, William, and Caroline Chehade; Primo, Carver, and Efrem Gordon; and Aoife and August Ferguson.  He was the beloved brother of Merle Weisman, of New Haven, the late Betty Rosenthal of West Hartford, the late Monroe Gordon , and the late Myron Gordon of Southport.  He also leaves many nieces and nephews  and his primary caretaker A'zsha Tillman who brought happiness to his later years.  She was ably and lovingly assisted by Pearlestine Boyd, Annette Relaford, Deborah Wearing,and Quintina Relaford.  All will truly miss him. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or a charity of one's choice.

Private interment will be at the Mishkan Israel Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to the funeral service and reception at Congregation Mishkan Israel, 785 Ridge Road, Hamden, Friday afternoon at 1:00 p.m.