GORDON A. MACFARLANE

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GORDON A. MACFARLANE On June 12, 2007, Gordon MacFarlane died peacefully in his sleep at the Charleswood Care Centre, surrounded by family and friends. Gordon was born on May 2, 1922, in Winnipeg, MB. He attended and graduated from Kelvin High School and, after a short term with the Canadian Bank of Commerce, he joined the RCAF in 1941 at the age of 19. He served overseas in defence of Canada as a Wireless Air Gunner in 502 Squadron (RAF Coastal), and received his discharge at war's end in 1945 with the rank of WO1. In September 1946 he joined the Winnipeg Police Department and at about the same time, he met Reta Thornton, whose family had recently moved from Manitou to Winnipeg. Gordon and Reta married on November 15, 1947, and established a home and a family. They became each other's best friend, and together they shared a life filled with love, mutual respect and the sharing of life's special moments. In 1976, Gordon retired from the police service at the relatively young age of 54 so that he could spend more time with Reta and the family, and travel with her to such places as Scotland, England, Hawaii, Mexico, Florida and Alaska. Gordon was a member of Westworth United Church, the St. Andrews Society, Ex-Air Gunners Association, Winnipeg Police Officer's Association and the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum. In recent years, he greatly enjoyed curling with the seniors at the Ft. Rouge Curling Club, and was very proud of the trophy his team received for scoring a perfect 8-ender. He was predeceased in 2001 by Reta, his beloved wife of 53 years; brothers, Kenneth in 1989 and Douglas in 2004; and sister-in-law Helene in 2001. His memory will be lovingly cherished by his son Bruce (Diane); and daughter Dale (Bryan); his grandchildren, Cheryl (Charlie), Kevin (Natalie); and granddog Bailey; his great-granddaughter Emma; and his sister-in-law Dorothy MacFarlane; nieces and nephews. We all miss him greatly. Cremation has taken place, and a service to celebrate his life will be held at 2:30 p.m. on June 15, 2007, at Westworth United Church, 1750 Grosvenor Ave. at Lanark St., with Rev. J. Clark Saunders officiating. A reception at the church will follow the service. The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the staff at the Charleswood Care Centre for their compassionate treatment and outstanding support. Your assistance and dedication enabled Gordon to adjust and better cope with his increasing health issues over the past few years. If friends so desire, donations in lieu of flowers may be made in Gordon's memory to the Westworth United Church Memorial Fund, 1750 Grosvenor Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3N 0H9, the Winnipeg Humane Society, 5 Kent St., Winnipeg, MB R2L 1X3, or a charity of their own choice. NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200 www.nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 14, 2007