HUGH DOUGLAS GORDON

Condolences & Memories (32 entries)

• I am so sorry to find this posting- Mr Gordon was my favorite teacher in high school. He was able to make Shakespeare come alive, and even enjoyable. To this day, any time I think of Twelfth Night I think of Sir AA and Sir TB (LOL). Mr Gordon kept our classes lively and made everyone participate without ever losing control... and that was not easy. He was a teacher of the highest calibre, and inspired me to work harder. Rest easy, Mr G... time for you to have a break. - Posted by: Glenn Seifert (former student at John Taylor) on: Jun 28, 2020

• We were very sorry to hear of your loss of Hugh, Dawne & family. - Posted by: John & Sheila Lenton () on: Jul 30, 2016

• What an amazing teacher and positive influence on our high school life! He will be remembered with a smile on my face!! He even coached me volleyball, with enthusiasm !! My condolences to his family! Sue Anne Latourelle Hamilton - Posted by: Sue Anne ( Latourelle) Hamilton (Teacher silver heights) on: Jul 23, 2016

• Mr Gordon was a fantastic, humble, and most animated teacher, whom I will always remember for his reading of Twelfth Night and especially the character of Feste. Leaping onto a desk to deliver his lines, Mr Gordon showed us what passion meant and taught us that literature was a living thing. And that is before we witnessed his Charlie Chaplain routine. May he rest in peace, and may his memory be eternal. He, and the whole Gordon family will be kept in prayer. - Posted by: James Siemens (Former student) on: Jul 23, 2016

• I still think about Mr. Gordon to this day! He was a favourite teacher of mine... teaching with humour and caring. My thoughts are with his friends and family. - Posted by: Tracey Sheridan (former student (SHCI)) on: Jul 20, 2016

• I am very saddened to hear of Mr. Gordon's passing. He was by far my favourite teacher through high school. I never had him as a full time teacher, only as a substitute, but he always made it memorable and definitely made an impact. My condolences to the family, my thoughts and prayers are with you. - Posted by: Ian McCallum (Student) on: Jul 20, 2016

• Saddened to hear of the passing of Mr Gordon. I was in his English class at John Taylor, and though I graduated back in 1985, still remembered him frequently and fondly - any time I heard a quote from Shakespeare (ah, the Shakespeare Club! he would invite his over-enthusiastic students to his home, to enact plays from our textbooks), any time I reveled in a new book, then suddenly wondered how Mr Gordon might have brought that book alive in English class. A kindhearted, innovative, extraordinary man who changed many lives - mine, for certain. When I saw the movie Dead Poet's Society, I felt Robin Williams was playing Mr. Gordon ("Oh Captain, my Captain"). RIP. - Posted by: Shyamala Dakshinamurti (former student) on: Jul 20, 2016

• I was very saddened to here of Mr. Gordon's passing. He was my English teacher at John Taylor in 1978! We all have fantastic memories of how he touched us. I had the opportunity to talk to him at all the JT 50th Reunion festivities he attended. I also enjoyed running into him at the grocery store where we caught up on what was going on in each others lives. He was an amazing teacher, person and a friend to many. He will be greatly missed, but the memories are a plenty. RIP Mr. Gordon - Posted by: Sandy Lethbridge (Burton) (Former Student) on: Jul 20, 2016

• not many teachers had any influence on my life….but he did. And it wasn’t that he was easy on me….far from it. He wouldn’t change my mark in grade 12 English so I could get into Commerce Because it wasn’t the right thing to do…..i sure didn’t like it at the time…..but I get it now. And oh how I hated Shakespeare then…..but grew to understand and appreciate it only years later. He was always able to walk that fine balance that only the best teachers achieve….. - Posted by: Dale Horton (former student John Taylor) on: Jul 20, 2016

• We first met Hugh in 2002 when I became the priest at St Chad's Anglican Church.We remember Hugh as always being friendly, cheerful and willing to help on any church project.We always think of Hugh riding his bike.He will certainly be missed and we will keep his family in our prayers. Rest In Peace Hugh, You will be missed! - Posted by: Gordon and Valerie Shields (Friends- Former Pastor) on: Jul 20, 2016

• My condolences to Dawne and family on the passing of your husband, father, and grandfather. - Posted by: Erika Fenske (former colleague of Dawne) on: Jul 20, 2016

• What an impact he made on the lives of many! He taught me and my daughter over the course of his time at SHCI. Always full of life and positive. You will be missed by many. Deepest condolences to the family. - Posted by: Debbie Larkin Sigfusson (Student from SHCI) on: Jul 20, 2016

• My friends and I were just reminiscing a couple of weeks ago about Mr. Gordon's English class at Silver Heights. I can still clearly remember his emphasis on stapling assignments at a precise 45-degree angle, so as to facilitate page-turning. His passion for teaching was evident, and he will be greatly missed. - Posted by: Tiffany Holland (Former student) on: Jul 20, 2016

• Mr. Gordon was my teacher at Silver Heights. He very kindly wrote a letter of recommendation for me when I applied to Mount Allison. He was an inspiring and gifted man, I've never forgotten how lovely he was. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, I'm so sorry for your loss. - Posted by: Angela Sorrey (Student, Silver Heights) on: Jul 20, 2016

• Mr. Gordon was one of my favourite teachers. Although English was not one of my favourite subjects, I am often reminded of Mr. Gordon's lessons when my kids ask about Wuthering Heights, or Shakespeare that they are studying. Mr. Gordon also taught me to ski. We sat beside each other on the 18 hour bus ride to Fernie, and it was the first time I'd had actual conversation with a teacher not about school. What a nice man he was. Rest peacefully Mr. G. - Posted by: Jenny MacNeil (nee Noble) (Student) on: Jul 20, 2016

• My father let me know the news today. The obituary is well written and does credit to this good man and excellent teacher. He did much good in this world, and will be missed greatly by many, but we trust in God that he is now even better situated. - Posted by: Kevin Jon Johnson (Friend, former student) on: Jul 20, 2016

• Mr Gordon was my home room teacher at John Taylor collegiate in 1979. His class was an absolute riot especially for a bunch of rambunctious boys and girls. We did some crazy things the least not of which was hiding his desk outside of the school before he came to class. He took it in great stride and did not kill us. I was so fortunate to meet and talk with Hugh at the John Tayor reunion a couple of years ago in Winnipeg at the convention centre dinner dance event. My condolences to his family and friends. Dave Firby - Posted by: Dave Firby (Student 1978/79) on: Jul 20, 2016

• Mr Gordon was one of those great teachers. One of the few who rose in me an inspiration and love of learning I still carry to this day. Though it's been 18 years since I last saw him I still tell stories to my children of the way he taught me to value knowledge. I can only hope my children have mentors as worthy as he was. - Posted by: Corry Penton (Student) on: Jul 20, 2016

• Mr. Gordon was one of those spectacular teachers that only come along once and awhile. He was an inspiration to his students and I recall that it was not uncommon for him to jump on a desk to act out a passage of literature. He will be truly missed and I count myself lucky to have had him as a positive influence in my life. - Posted by: Lindsay Kavalench (Student ) on: Jul 19, 2016

• Mr. Gordon was a fun and enthusiastic teacher who always made English class enjoyable. I remember that he used to call himself the benevolent dictator! I graduated from John Taylor in 1984 and have never forgotten this kind man. My deepest sympathies to his family. He will not be forgotten. - Posted by: Donna Bolt (Siwicki) (Former Student) on: Jul 19, 2016

• Mr. Gordon was an amazing teacher and an even better role model. Above all I will remember his passion for teaching and his ability to connect with his students. Deepest condolences to his family and friends. - Posted by: Ben Adam (Student) on: Jul 19, 2016

• I had him as a teacher for only one year some 15 years ago. I still remember his energy, passion and kindness. My condolences to his family. - Posted by: Tyler Metcalfe (Student) on: Jul 19, 2016

• I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Gordon's passing. He was an absolutely outstanding high school English teacher. He taught me Grade 10 English at Silver Heights Collegiate in the early 1990s. The book we focused on, as I recall, was Wuthering Heights. A few years ago, I published my first book. At the time, I wrote to Mr. Gordon to thank him for teaching me the fundamentals of good writing (paragraph structure, etc.). I told him, I still depend on your lessons as a Ph.D. holder and scholarly writer. Of course the note started with, "You won't remember me but...." However, Mr. Gordon wrote me the loveliest letter in return. He said he DID remember me! I was enormously touched. The world has lost a treasure. I send my prayers and condolences to Mr. Gordon's loved ones. May God bless you with comfort as you remember a wonderful man. - Posted by: Heather MacLachlan (student) on: Jul 19, 2016

• Just the other day I found the drawing that I made in your Grade 12 English class, in which you had us interpret our own meaning of the immortal poem "The Hollow Men". In the spirit of that exercise, still very vivid after all these years, I truly hope that you "went out with a bang and nay a whimper" Mr. Gordon. With rare charisma, your lively and entertaining teaching style was a real inspiration and your sharing of dusty old passages made them truly come to life in the hearts and minds of your students. Many condolences to the family and friends of this incredible educator. Horace Mann once wrote "a man ought to be ashamed to die before he has won some small victory for humanity." Through the legacy that lives on in your countless classes of learners, so to do your many victories. - Posted by: Josh Watt (Inspired graduate) on: Jul 19, 2016

• I worked with his daughter Glynis at St Charles Country Club and was also his student at Silver Heights in the IB Program. During the summer months one, I had some family issues at home. I got a call at work and was told I couldn't go home that night after work at St. Charles. Glynis called home and Mr G was more than happy to have me come and stay with them. He came to St. Charles with his station wagon, so he could get my bike and me. Took me back to his place and gave some of his PJ's to wear. He made me feel safe and comfortable at a time when I needed it. He let me know, I always had a place to stay if I needed it. He also told me I could read any of the books that happen to be laying around. The kindness and humanity he showed me that summer, have stuck with me. The world needs more people like Mr Gordon. He will be missed. - Posted by: Jasen Dillon (Former Student) on: Jul 19, 2016

• Hugh was my friend and I fondly remember he and I comparing notes as we made wine in the St. Chad's wine club. I have been away from Winnipeg since 20012 but have returned on occasion and attended St. Chad's when able. Hugh was always there to greet me with a very warm embrace. The Lord will welcome a good man and I am sure that he will be fixed up with a wonderful classroom so as to continue in heaven what he started here on earth. God's richest blessing to all of his family. - Posted by: Jon Toogood (Brothers in Christ) on: Jul 19, 2016

• One of the best there ever was...I remember in Grade 9 when on the first day of high school, he gave all of us (his home room class) his home phone number in case we had any questions about work assigned, or if we just needed to talk about something happening in our lives as we adjusted to the jungle that was to be our home for the next four years. I'm assuming we weren't the first class to have his number, but I'd be willing to bet it was never misused. He was respected by all, and kind from the moment you met him. He's also the reason I fell in love with Shakespeare and I can still see him all dressed up for the Shakespeare festivals at Silver Heights. Rest easy Mr. Gordon. - Posted by: Ashley Hamilton (Former Student) on: Jul 19, 2016

• Mr. Gordon was one of those teachers you will never forget. He made you think, he made you laugh, and his passion for the written word shone through in all of his classes. I still remember the "Benevolent Dictator" sign on his classroom door, and his clever explanation of why it perfectly described the teacher-student relationship. He will be missed. - Posted by: Sandra Schmidtke (Former student) on: Jul 19, 2016

• Mr. Gordon was a fabulous teacher and person. Don't think for a second this man won't be remembered by all his former students! He will be- and fondly. His family should be proud. Peace to you Mr. Gordon. - Posted by: Stephanie Harvard (Former student ) on: Jul 19, 2016

• Mr. Gordon was the most enthusiastic teacher I ever had. All of my high school buddies have continued to talk about him affectionately since we graduated in 1999. Would have loved to talk to him one last time, he will be missed dearly. - Posted by: Adrian Weber (Student) on: Jul 19, 2016

• I'm so sorry to hear of Mr. Gordon's passing. I remember him fondly. He was my grade 10 English teacher at Silver Heights Collegiate and one of those teachers you don't forget! He was full of life and truly dedicated to helping his students. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. - Posted by: Susan Stuart (Former student ) on: Jul 19, 2016

• I am so sorry to hear of Mr Gordon's passing. He was my high school English teacher and a passionate dedicated one at that. He was part of the reason I too became an English teacher. He instilled in me a love of literature. I was lucky enough to tell him what a great teacher he was when I returned to Silver Heights 3 plus years post graduation and he was there substitute teaching. I was truly blessed to have experienced his passion for literature and students alike. - Posted by: Aaron Russell nee Labbe (Student) on: Jul 19, 2016