Gordon BARROWS

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BARROWS: In the wee hours of September 20, 2011 Gordon passed away with his wife and children at his side. Gordon was born May 9, 1949 to Roy and Eileen Barrows in Winnipeg, Manitoba. For whatever reason at the tender age of 9 months, he became a ward of his grandparents, Howard and Violet and came to live with them on the family farm. Lloyd and Earl, his uncles resided at the farm also. Gord attended school at Pierson, Manitoba. At the age of sixteen he quit school and tried his hand at various jobs. He attempted to go back to school at the age of eighteen but it wasn't for him. He met Kathy Goleski at a dance in Pierson, Manitoba, they fell in love and were married at Bossevain, Manitoba on June 24, 1967. Shortly after, Gord took a job in the oil at Oxbow, Saskatchewan. The oil took them on many adventures. The first, they spent three months in New Brunswick in 1968. December, 1968 their first daughter Angela was born. Then it was off to Fort St. John, B.C. where Tina was born. Drayton Valley, Alberta was their next stop where daughters Leslie and Jody were born. In 1974, Gord moved his growing family back to Pierson, Manitoba and their son Kirk was born at Melita, Manitoba in 1975. Gord took a job in 1977 at Bryd Siding buying grain for N. M. Paterson. These were the best years for Gordon. He spent countless hours at the rink with his children, watching them curl and play hockey. He also played hockey with the old timer's. The area was a great place to fish and hunt, which he enjoyed immensely. In 1994, Gord and Kathy moved back to the home farm at Pierson, Manitoba. Gordon continued to work on the oil, the last few winters he worked at Cold Lake, Alberta. In 2004 he spent time working in India, which he was so proud of. In 2006 he had a triple bypass and a year later his kidneys failed. He started dialysis in 2007 in Brandon. They moved to Brandon October, 2007 to continue his treatments. Although it took a lot out of him, he took in all the Wheat King games becoming a season ticketholder. This brought him great joy. The greatest joy for him was spending time with his children, going to movies, farmer's markets and shopping. He would say his greatest accomplishments were his children, which he was so proud of. February, 2011, Gordon was forced to go into Palliative Care. There he had many friends and they all helped each other to go through this journey. He loved the staff and we were so grateful that he was well looked after. Gordon was predeceased by his grandparents Howard and Violet Barrows,uncles Lloyd and Earl, father and mother-in-law Frank and Phyllis Goleski,three nephews, a brother-in-law and sister-in-law. Left to mourn are hiswife Kathy of 44 years, daughter Angela (Scott) Johnston, Evan and Kyle; daughter Tina (Gregg) Steele, Sarah and Jamie; daughter Leslie (Aubrey) Gibson, Kurtis and Jennifer; daughter Jody (Grant) Hume, Ashley, Gabriel, Brian and Graham; son Kirk (Melanie) Barrows, Trayson, Brett, and Breanne. Also Kathy's family Laverne, Victor (Lorna), Robert (Barb), John, Sharon (Earl), Gord (Bev), Barb (Robert), Mike (Deb), Debbie (Shaun), Danny (Teri). The Ceremony to Celebrate Gordon's Life was held at Memories Chapel on Saturday, September 24, 2011 with Mr. Joe Ball officiating. A special prayer was read by Rose Badham. Interment followed in the Brandon Cemetery. Donations in memory of Gordon may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, B - 727 10th Street, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 4G. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com.Arrangements were with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330.

As published in Brandon Sun on Oct 22, 2011