Gordon PATTERSON

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PATTERSON: Gordon James Patterson, age 61 passed away peacefully in his sleep at the Boissevain Health Centre in the early morning of Jan. 6,2011 with family by his side. Gord was born at the Boissevain Memorial Hospital on July 27,1949 the only son of Jim and Helen Patterson. He was one of 4 babies born at the hospital that day. He grew up in the Fairburn District and attended Fairburn School with his three sisters, Betty Anne, Donna and Trudy. He participated in 4-H Beef and enjoyed playing hockey with the Minto Mustangs, baseball, curling with the McCausland Sawdust & Gravel rink, golfing in the Tuesday nights mens league. His skates and coach whistle were retired with him. Gord and Sharon (Kinsley) were married June 7,1969. They purchased Wilbur and Gleva Oriss's farm, right across the road from his parents where they raised their daughter Missy and son Scott. Gord farmed with his Dad for many years, and then later with Scott. They had grain & cattle, also pigs. After retiring from the grain farming, he remained working with cattle. More recently, he was employed with Rob Adams Eavestroughing, Rourke Farms of Minto, the Boissevain and Deloraine Hospitals in the maintenance department. He enjoyed his work at all these jobs and made many great friendships with his co-workers Gord enjoyed coaching Scott's hockey teams & being a #1 fan at all the sporting events with his kids over the years. Gord & Sharon never missed a Portage Terriers game when Scott played with them. Gords favorite role of all was being "Poppy" to Kinsley, Sydney, Jenna & Ryan. The grandkids loved their grandpa and he loved them. We were never really sure who was the biggest kid of all. He enjoyed giving piggyback rides, going swimming or just cuddling on the couch with his grandkids. He was so proud of their accomplishments in all their activities. A family trip to Minot & a summer holiday with all the kids on a houseboat last summer created some very special memories for our family. Gord loved all kinds of music, playing his banjo with the Patterson relatives, learning to dance at the Sat. dances at Fairburn and Wassewa schools then teaching Missy and his grandaughters to polka and two-step. He found it pretty hard to sit still if a good tune was played anywhere. He had a sense of humour like no other which he kept to the end. He loved to tell stories and joke with his many friends. In September, 2009 Gord was diagnosed with ALS. After coming to terms with the disease he battled it with dignity. As the months passed it became harder and harder for him to perform everyday tasks, but he never complained and always tried to find ways to keep his independence. During this time his morning coffee shop friends brightened his days as did the emails and jokes he received on his computer. He will be sadly missed by wife Sharon, daughter Missy and husband Tom Campbell, grandchildren Kinsley and Sydney Ransom, son Scott, his wife Tina, grandchildren Jenna and Ryan. Gord is also survived by his sisters, Betty Anne Turner, Donna (Brian) Boyle, Trudy (Jim) Nay. Sharons Mom, Mildred Kinsley, and siblings Bonnie (Nick) Thompson, Rick (Gwen) Kinsley, Murray (Donna) Kinsley, many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of many, many good friends. Gord was predeceased by his parents Jim and Helen Patterson, father-in-law Charlie Kinsley, brother-in-law Bob Turner. We would like to thank Dr. Nell for all his support, wisdom and kindness through Gord's illness and the great staff at the hospital who provided such great care and treated him with so much dignity during his short stay. Gord's United Church service was held at the Whitewater Mennonite Church on January 10, 2011 with Rev. John Oldenkamp officiating. Gord's pallbearers were Wayne Clyne, Stacy Johnston, Rhett Turner, Brad Nay, Rob Adams and Keith Burton. We will miss the twinkle in his eyes and his heart warming smile. He left us much too earlybut we cherish the time we were given.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jan 15, 2011