GORDON STEWART YOUNG

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GORDON STEWART YOUNG
February 15, 1942 - December 23, 2020

Following a short illness, our dad, Gordon Stewart Young, passed away peacefully the morning of December 23 at Health Sciences Centre, with his youngest son by his side. We are grateful to have had the chance to let him know of our love for him and to say goodbye.
Left to mourn his passing are his children, Stewart (Cathy), Meridel (Rob) and Russell (Tara), as well as grandchildren, Jade, Taylor, Raegan and Jamie, and great-grandchildren, Jackson and Elleigh, sister Bonnie Kerr, sister-in-law Suzzanne Vysick, brothers-in-law, Jim King and Bill Flude, his step-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Dad was predeceased by his beloved wife Sandy, as well as his grandson Daniel, his mother Olga, father Russell, sister Barbara, and brother Bill.
Dad was born in Hamilton, Ontario, and lived in southern Ontario until he was transferred to Winnipeg in 1978 through work at the Hudson's Bay Wholesale. Dad worked at HBC in various positions for nearly 30 years. When transferred to a new warehouse in Toronto (formerly Scales & Roberts), he met his future wife, Sandy, and they married December 3, 1964. His eventual position as Warehouse Coordinator took him coast to coast across Canada auditing warehouse shortages. After leaving the HBC, Dad went on to work at Johnston-Pacific and then Warehouse Systems until his retirement. Dad had many unique experiences while at HBC: one of his favourites being an evening he and his young family spent with Captain Adrian Small aboard the Nonsuch in Hamilton Harbour in 1970. Because of this, he toured the Manitoba Museum several times over the years, excitement building as we'd near the ship. Last January, he went on the hull tour, seeing it for the first time in nearly 50 years. Despite his intense work ethic, Dad's greatest joy came from spending time with his family, playing cards, games, or sports. He and Mom loved to dance whenever they could, even at home listening to their '50s and '60s music on our jukebox. Dad had a love of history and learning. We will never forget sitting around the dinner table (when he wasn't travelling) and him quizzing us on provinces and territories and their capitals, as it was so important to him that we knew this. We were forever entertained by his wiggling his ears, the way he whistled only by curling up his tongue--so loudly that we could hear our special whistle almost a mile away and knew to come home if we were out playing, and the eye-rolling puns he'd come up with (where Stewart gets it from). Dad was most at peace on the water - fishing, swimming, and boating. He could waterski like nobody else - slalom-skiing off the dock or placing a chair on a disc and doing a handstand on the chair while being pulled by a boat. At 77, he tubed with his daughter and with his grandson Taylor - three generations. So many people have memories of the "gold boat" and our dad teaching them to waterski or just spending the day taking people out to ski. When he was not on the water, Dad enjoyed woodworking and gardening. In his retirement years, Mom and Dad worked together creating a little garden oasis in their yard. For years now, Ralph, his cat, was his constant companion no matter what he was doing. We, including Ralph, will miss you so much Dad, but we are comforted knowing you are with Mom, spontaneously singing "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine" to her. Remembered forever.
In accordance with Gord's wishes, cremation has taken place, and a private family service will be held. GREEN ACRES Funeral Home and Cemetery, (204) 222-3241.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 31, 2020