GORDON PERCY MCRAE

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GORDON PERCY MCRAE It is with profound sadness and grateful hearts that we share the passing of Gordon Percy McRae on June 6, 2018 at the age of 84 years. Grandpa Gord was a fighter until the end. Gord leaves behind his cherished wife and partner of 58 years, Rose (nee Hepburn), his daughters, Sheila and Janice, son-in-law Arthur, and grandchildren, Sarah, Alexander, Tobias, Abigail, Isabelle, Kristofer and Nicholas (Nicole). He always held a special place in his heart for son-in-law Martin who tragically passed away in 2011. Gord was lucky to have had his long standing regular lunch date with his best friend since childhood, Les Cox, up until only weeks before he passed away. Gord was an amazing man who loved his family and friends. He valued people and made connections everywhere he went. Gord and Rose have batches of friends from their old condo, The Waverley, and from all stages of their life together. Gord grew up in Winnipeg with his fierce and loving mother Molly, father Percy McRae, and brothers, Ken (Shirley) and Al (Alida). Gord left home early to start a career with the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans in 1957. He worked at the remote Hemming Lake fishing camp, and spent many summers on the lake taking samples, learning to scuba dive, in the lab doing research, experiencing the outdoors, and enjoying the company of lifelong friends, especially the Lawler family, while being "bushed" together up at camp. Gord was transferred to London, Ontario where he met the love of his life, Rose, and after a brief courtship, they married on December 3, 1960. He was lovingly embraced by close-knit in-laws in London, and then Rose and Gord launched into the adventure of summers up north and a new life in Winnipeg. Gord was ahead of his time and cared deeply about the environment, and in 1974 co-authored an article about the impact of mercury on the environment and Minamata disease. After Rose became ill in 1967, Gord worked tirelessly to care for her, raise the girls and volunteer for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Gord highly valued education and always pushed his daughters to be independent and successful, he was a wonderful parent and grandfather who always put family first, and never tired of supporting and treating those he loved. Gord spent many years working as a driving instructor to provide extras for the family, such as our big trip to Florida in 1976. Gord felt so blessed to have many great golf weekends and barbecues with friends and family in Neepawa, and worked as a marshal at Riverwood Golf Course for several summers. Gord was a master of creating traditions, and loved Christmas turkey dinners, annual visits to the Red River Ex, and Halloween pumpkin drives with Jamie, John, Max and Alice, and all the other friends and family he could commandeer. The McRae family would like to acknowledge and thank Dr. Brian Sharkey for years of compassionate medical care and excellent advice. In spite of many challenges, including surviving kidney cancer in 2004, Gord never stopped living life to its fullest. He was deeply loved, he will be deeply missed, and he will be always remembered. A private Celebration of Life will be held in the future. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. Please find a book of condolences at www.bardal.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 16, 2018