Gordon Belbin Janes, Sr. passed away peacefully at Leonard Morse Hospital in Natick on September 27, 2017. He was 94 years old. Several family members were able to comfort and communicate with Gordon in the hours before his passing.

Gordon was born in Somerville, Massachusetts on June 20, 1923 to the late George and Edith Janes. He was raised in Cambridge Massachusetts near the Charles River. Gordon developed an eye for photography at a young age, which led to a full-blown hobby and eventually a longtime career in the film and photographic industry. He and his wife, Jean Laurel (Manning) Janes, moved to Chelmsford in 1960, where they raised five children – Denise, Jason, Jim, Gordon, Jr., and Lisa. As a family, they enjoyed many summer vacations on Cape Cod, where they took the boat out for fishing trips and explored the area. Gordon and Jean enjoyed multiple trips to Europe and shared their experiences with family and friends.

Gordon was on active duty in the Army and Navy during World War II. Afterwards, he was employed at Polaroid Corporation for 35 years as a senior supervisor until his retirement. An avid golfer, he was a longtime member of the Nabnasset Country Club in Westford and could often be found on the course between visits with family and friends. He enjoyed taking photos to capture these moments with loved ones (with a Polaroid camera, of course), and developed them himself in his basement darkroom. Gordon was a great sports fan and truly enjoyed watching the Red Sox and Bruins. In addition to his interests in sports, Gordon was also active in the theatre community as a member of The Chelmsford Players. Gordon enjoyed acting and theatre production with his wife Jean.

In later life, Gordon was a resident at Whitney Place and then MaryAnn Morse Healthcare Center. He enjoyed an active social life and was involved with many activities with his fellow residents. He possessed a passion for gardening, a love of animals, enjoyed holiday parties, and spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Gordon B. Janes, Sr. was a wonderful father, grandfather, brother, great grandfather, and loving husband to his wife Jean (until her untimely passing in 1982). Loving father of Jean Denise McAuliffe of Stoughton, the late Jason McAuliffe of Sarasota, Florida, James McAuliffe and Nancy Moorhouse of Natick, Gordon B. Janes, Jr. and his wife, Cindy, of West Bridgewater and the late Lisa (Janes) Sumner and her husband, Roger, of Chelmsford. Cherished grandfather of Jason, Jude, Susan, Alan, Justin, Dakota, Kailey and Sierra, and beloved great-grandfather of Nicholas, Evan, Sean and Ashley. He is also survived by many cousins and close friends of the family. Gordon was predeceased by his siblings Roy, William, George, Stan, Warren and Dorothy.

Visitation and services will be held at the BLAKE CHELMSFORD FUNERAL HOME, 24 Worthen Street, CHELMSFORD, on Monday, October 2, 2017 from 12:00 – 1:45 p.m. Gordon was a WWII Army (and Navy) war veteran. Following visitation he will be buried with a Military ceremony at Pine Ridge Cemetery in CHELMSFORD. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the MaryAnn Morse Healthcare Center in his name at MaryAnn Morse, 45 Union Street, Natick, MA 01760 (https://maryannmorse.org/about-us/donations/).

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