America needs more citizens like Gordie Flint: a man of business and a humanitarian.

In Charles Dickens’ beloved “Christmas Carol,” Marley’s ghost says to Ebenezer Scrooge, “Business! Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business.” This could have been Gordie’s motto. He was, in the Yiddish expression, a mensch.

He was President of the Board of the Children’s Task Force during several of the years while I was Executive Director. When I took over directorship of in 1996, the Task Force budget had suffered severe cuts.

Sometimes we worried about meeting payroll for the few employees still left. Gordie mentored me through those crisis years. Under Gordie’s leadership, we went on to greatly expand the Task Force’s impact. Gordie was instrumental in securing funding for Task Force programs that have helped hundreds of children and families have better lives, services backed by rigorous research that shows they really work.

The Task Force has gone on to become a leader in the State in this regard. Gordie was always there for the Task Force, as he has been there for so many community organizations over the years.

Gordie Flint will be sorely missed. What he leaves behind is an example of public- spirited citizenship. He was fair and conscientious in his professional dealings and deeply generous in his investment of time and talent in our community. He inspired others who now step up in his place.

He did so much to make Franklin County a wonderful place to live. He was deeply loved by his family and friends. The whole community grieves his loss.