Obituaries
Gordy Shields, Cycling Champ and Advocate, Dies at 95
The Fletcher Hills resident worked with students at both Grossmont High and Grossmont College. He was a leader in the cycling community.
Gordy Shields, a former high school and college teacher who was a long-time cyclist and dedicated civic activist, died Sunday. He was 95, reports U-T San Diego.
The Fletcher Hills resident became such a cycling aficionado that he set national records in his age group, once tackling a 20-km course in under 45 minutes.
The Massachusetts native served in the Navy and made the San Diego area his home for seven decades. He worked at both Grossmont High School and Grossmont College, according to the report, as a teacher and counselor. He retired from the college 33 years ago.
He also was an energetic activist for cycling safety and promoted safe routes like the Bayshore Bikeway, which wends around the San Diego and the South Bay. San Diego County Supervisor Greg Cox, an advocate for the bikeway, called Shields “totally dedicated to the biking community.”
A bridge over the Sweetwater River is named for him, the obit said.
Services are pending for the father of three. He is expected to be laid to rest at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
