GORDON CHARLES PANKHURST

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GORDON CHARLES PANKHURST Do not go gentle into that good night Rage, rage against the dying of the light by Dylan Thomas Following a long and courageous battle with dementia, Gordon Charles Pankhurst died peacefully at the Portage and District General Hospital on Thursday, January 6, 2011. His wife Gerri was by his side. Gord is survived by his beloved wife Gerri and his sons, Robert (Diane) and Adam (Susan). Also surviving grandchildren, Jennifer, Zachary, Nicolas, Gordie, Rob; and step-grandchildren, Robbie and Kaitlyn Scott. Gord was born in Winnipeg on December 13, 1932. Due to circumstances his biological parents were reluctantly forced to place him for adoption. He became the only child of doting adoptive parents, Jim and Mollie Pankhurst. He enjoyed a happy childhood in West Kildonan where he attended elementary school. He attended Luxton School and graduated from St. John's Tech. During his school years and beyond, hockey was his passion and Montreal Canadiens was his team. Gord or Gabby or Gabe as he was known was a super star in playground hockey. In the late 1940s during an extended visit with his family to England, he played hockey with the Wembley Monarchs. He was the youngest player to play in an international league and was given the name Prince Puck . Upon his return to Canada, Gord signed with the Montreal Canadiens organization. He played junior with the St. Boniface Canadiens (1952 to 1953). In 2009 the team was inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame. Over the years he has kept in touch with his hockey buddies. He played a season in the NOHA league and ended his hockey career with the Minnedosa Jets. In 1954 he married Gerri Nicol and joined his in-laws, Bob and Mary Nicol in the hotel business moving to Portage la Prairie in 1961 to help run the Albion Hotel. Over the years he remained in the hotel business and was joined by his sons, Rob and Adam. He owned or was involved with the St. Boniface Hotel, Morris, Mariapolis, Reston and Fort Frances. He was involved in building the Manitobah Inn in Portage. Gord enjoyed living in Portage. He was a member of the Portage Rotary Club for over 25 years and served as President. He enjoyed the comradeship of his fellow Rotarians. He was active in the annual variety show and all their activities. Gord and Gerri, along with good friends, Cliff and Doreen Bagrie, attended an International Rotary Conference in Sydney, Australia. Next to hockey, golf became Gord's passion. It was hard to convince Gord that grass he loved on the golf course was the same grass he hated to mow on his front lawn! He scored a hole-in-one at the Kildonan Golf Course in Winnipeg in 2001. He was a member of the Portage Curling Club mixed league. Gord was active in the reorganization of the Portage Terriers Hockey Club. He had a keen interest in politics and supported the Conservatives. Gord enjoyed the companionship of his dogs, Butkus and Beau. Gord and Gerri moved to Oakville in 1997. Gord never looked forward to retirement but unfortunately his illness prevented him from normal activities. He was a generous person except when it came to the TV remote control. He was proud of his children and grandchildren and always gave unconditional love. Gord's favourite song was I Did It My Way and he lived a full life but now for his family remembering will have to do . Sincere thanks to Dr. David Kinnear and the staff of the Medical Ward PDGH. The compassionate care Gord received was truly exceptional and greatly appreciated by his family. In Gord's memory, contributions to the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame Inc., 43 Dickens Drive, Winnipeg, MB R3K 0M1, would be appreciated. The organization provides support for various hockey programs. Gord was a good man and a good father. He will be missed. Rest in peace. As per his wishes, there will be no formal funeral service. A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel 857-4021 A message can be left in the on-line guest book at www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 10, 2011