Paid Notice: Gordon Alan Carberry, 91, died at home in Oriental, N.C., on October 11, 2026, with Marilyn, his wife of 64 years, by his side.
Gordon was born in New York City and grew up in Amityville, NY. Gordon was an athlete his whole life. He was an Amityville High School football legend, where he received the Suffolk county player of the year award in 1954, and wrestled and played lacrosse at Syracuse University on an athletic scholarship from 1955-1958. From 1956 to 1972 he worked as a lifeguard at Jones Beach and Tobay Beach, and he was the first East Coast surfing champion in 1961. He began his career teaching physical education and coaching at Berner High School in Massapequa, N.Y.
He married his wife Marilyn in 1962, and later moved the family moved to Montauk in 1972, where he served as Superintendent of Recreation, Parks, and Beaches for the Town of East Hampton for 20+ years. He served as a volunteer fireman and AEMT with the Montauk Fire Department, and coached football and track at East Hampton high school. He worked for the East Hampton Village from 1994-97, as the supervisor in charge of Main Beach and Georgica beaches, as well as the lifeguards.
In his early 50s, Gordon told someone who was training for a triathlon that he thought he'd like to try one. The man laughed at him. That was all the motivation Gordon needed. He went on to race as a fiercely competitive age-group triathlete into his early 80s, and he finished the full-distance Duke Ironman in 2002, something he was proud of for the rest of his life. He was also an active Senior Olympics competitor, with more medals than anyone could count.
In 1994, Gordon and Marilyn moved to North Carolina, where he started a youth triathlon team, first through Pamlico County 4-H and later as the Arapahoe Charter School triathlon team, when he went back to teaching phys ed there. For more than a decade, he trained young athletes who remember him as caring, tough, and funny, often all at the same time. He also encouraged parents to participate in training and in races. To Gordon, triathlon was a way for families to connect.
Gordon will be remembered for his fun nature, witty sense of humor, and giving back to the community. And, especially for being a loving and caring husband, father, and person.
In addition to Marilyn, he is survived by his daughter, Robin, and his sons Gregg, Douglas, and Todd.
