Obituary of Gordon Pember Wrenn

Gordon Pember Wrenn, 90, of State College, PA, died Thursday, December 28, 2017, at Juniper Village at Brookline in State College, PA. Born April 18, 1927, in Fall River, MA, he was the son of the late Arthur Sperry and Marion Martha Spragle Wrenn. On October 6, 1956 in Fairhaven, MA, he married Bessie M. Elliott, who survives. Also surviving are two children, Peter Lewis Wrenn of Simpsonville, SC and Douglas Christopher Wrenn of Broadlands, VA. He was a 1945 graduate of Durfee High School in Fall River, MA. Upon graduation he volunteered for duty in the United States Navy during World War II, where he served on the U.S.S. Huntington (CL 107). Following his Navy service he took advantage of the GI Bill to enter college at the University of Massachusetts, from which he earned a Bachelor's degree in English in 1950. Gordon was a long-time employee with the W.T. Grant Co., managing department stores all across New England for two decades. In 1973 he transitioned to a new career with the American Philatelic Society in State College, PA, as Director of Sales. Over the next 22 years he oversaw significant growth in the Sales Division of the Society, and in 1995 was a recipient of the prestigious Luff Award for Outstanding Service to the American Philatelic Society. He was a member of the Mount Nittany Philatelic Society and a life member of the American Philatelic Society. Following retirement he continued to enjoy his passion for stamp collecting and railroad history and trains. He was a frequent contributor, known as the "Fall River Wit", to local newspapers. The family would like to thank the staff and administrators at Juniper Village at Brookline for their caring for, and love towards, Gordon over the past 6 years. Services will be private at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Philatelic Society, 100 Match Factory Place, Bellefonte, PA 16823. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.