Plainfield, NH – Gordon A. Gillens, 77, former Plainfield Police Chief and longtime Plainfield Resident died unexpectedly, Tuesday afternoon, January 17, 2023.  He was born July 16, 1945 at the Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital in Hanover, NH.

He attended schools and grew up in Canaan, NH and was in the first class, from Canaan, to attend and graduate from the new Mascoma High School.   He joined the US Marine Corp right after high school and served our country for four years including a year at Khe Sanh, in the Vietnam War.  When he returned home, he held a few different jobs before he took a position with the Windsor Police Department.  Upon his completion of training at the police academy he returned to Windsor and worked as a patrolman for the next fourteen years. Gordon liked his work and built a good reputation throughout the area law enforcement community.   In 1985 he was hired as the Plainfield Police Chief, a position he held for the next twenty-five years.  Gordon was married to Sarah Jean (Tuck) Longacre on June 8, 1996.  They made their home in Plainfield on Route 12A.  He retired in 2010.  He received may accolades during his long career including two awards that had him traveling to Washington DC to receive The Law Enforcement Officer of the Year and also the U. S. Department of Justice Distinguished Service Award.

As Police Chief, Gordon had many experiences. He worked to keep people safe and would often be seen corralling a stray animal. He presented the department budget each year and made sure that his officers were well trained. Gordon enjoyed traveling around the local area with Sarah.  He loved being home and working on their property, using his tractor for multiple purposes and tending to horses, chickens, ducks, cats and dogs. Gordon had a special love for animals and they for him  a characteristic that served him well during his law enforcement days and beyond.  He was a member of the Grafton County Rod and Gun Club and the Plainfield Community Church.

He was predeceased by a son Jason Gillens and a brother Michael Gillens.

Gordon is survived by his wife, Sarah, her sons, Timothy Longacre and his wife Nicole, Joshua Longacre and his wife, Meghan  and her daughter, Melinda Taber and her husband Breck, all of Plainfield, NH, son Scott Gillens, daughter, Diane Gillens, six grandchildren, one great grandchild, a sister, Viola Wilson of Canaan, NH, as well as several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 2PM on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at the Plainfield Community Church, with a reception to follow at the Plainfield Fire Station.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Upper Valley Humane Society, 300 Old Route 10, Enfield, NH 03748

Knight Funeral Home in Windsor, VT is honored to be assisting Gordon's family with arrangements. Condolences may be left for his family at an online guest book at www.knightfuneralhomes.com