GORDON ASGEIR GISLASON

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GORDON ASGEIR GISLASON Gordon Asgeir Gislason passed away peacefully and graciously on May 3, 2009 at the age of 94. Gordon was born and raised in Winnipeg, the eldest child of Thorstein Jon Gislason and Kristin Maria Gudmundsdottir. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife Margaret Louise Catharine (nee Stefan) and by his brothers Eric and Wilmar. He is survived by his sons Gordon (Edna) and Donald; his daughter Kathryn Payne (Rick), his sisters Margaret Hauch and Jean Falconer, and his brother Garthar. Gordon was raised in the Icelandic tradition. Before starting school he spent a winter at a fishing camp at Mikley on Lake Winnipeg and as a teenager he spent summers working on the Magnusson farm in the Lundar area. As the Great Depression began, he left school at age 15 to help support the family by working fulltime in the meat department of The Bay, but only with the promise that he would finish high school through night school, a promise that he kept. Later on he worked in the financial services industry and began night courses in business. In his late 20's he commenced studies in accounting and earned his CA degree in 1948. He had a professional career that included working for Black, Hanson Co. (later Coopers Lybrand) and North American Lumber, working in his own firm of G.A. Gislason Co. and serving in senior executive positions for Powell Equipment Ltd, from where he retired. Gordon assumed the mantle of responsibility throughout his life, first to assist in supporting his family, as a husband and father to three spirited children, as a rock of support and quiet action to family and friends and through his substantial community service. Gordon appreciated his good fortune in life and believed in giving back to the community. In addition to his volunteer work with the Kiwanis and Shriners organizations, he served in executive roles for the First Lutheran Church, Betel Home Foundation, Betelstadur, and the G.N. Andison Foundation Inc. He was honoured with the designation Member Emeritus of the Betel Home Foundation for all his years of service, the only such member to be so honoured. A taciturn man, quiet by nature but possessing strong principles and integrity, Gordon was respected in the business community. He continued to learn throughout his life, always looking ahead to life's challenges and opportunities, as he tackled a variety of pursuits over the years including the game of bridge, hunting, photography, golf and travel. He especially enjoyed his time at the family cottage in Gimli. But his special passion was the printed word - he was a voracious reader, especially of gruesome murder mysteries, a trait that he inherited from his mother. Gordon was proud of but did not dwell on his Icelandic heritage. He believed strongly in the power of education and in his own self-determination. He lived a long and productive life with dignity and grace. One of his frequent sayings was I have no complaints, I have no regrets. His family, friends and the community at large were blessed by his presence, example and good works. The family would like to thank management and staff at the Thorvaldson Care Centre where Gordon spent the last year and to thank Dr. Brian Sharkey for his support and compassionate care over the last several years. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, May 11, 2009 at Neil Bardal Inc. 3030 Notre Dame Avenue, across from Brookside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made to your charity of choice. NEIL BARDAL INC. 204-949-2200 nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 08, 2009