DOUGLAS STEWART GORDON

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

DOUGLAS STEWART GORDON

With sorrow but continuing love and admiration, we announce the passing of Douglas Stewart Gordon on January 26, 2021, in his 91st year in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Beloved husband of Frances (nee Bowley) for 68 years; proud father of Gayle Gordon Graham (John Graham) and Karen Gordon (Rod Mizak); and proud grandfather of John A.G. Graham (Mira Breland) and Emily Graham (Kevin Anceriz).
Employed by the CNR Prairie Region from 1949 until his retirement in 1988, Doug worked in sales and management in both Winnipeg and Regina. Doug enjoyed many hobbies and sports over the years, including drawing, water colours and oil painting, wine making, golfing, hockey and woodworking. Golfing was a passion he enjoyed during the beautiful Winnipeg summers. He was athletic and competitive in an "always do your best" kind of way, whether it was shooting hoops with his grandkids or running in the Gimli Islendingadagurinn footraces, for many years longer than Fran thought was good for him.
Doug always had something in the works. He brought all his woodworking, plumbing and electrical skills together in many building projects, such as the rec room for the Montrose home, the addition to the Gimli cottage and renovating his daughter's home. His grandchildren enjoyed the many wooden toys he made and our family homes display many of his creations.
Doug volunteered with the River Heights Speed Skating Club where he coached, started races or timed at competitions and fundraised. He also volunteered for Speed Skating Canada, where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997 in the Builder category. Doug always helped with whatever needed to be done.
Doug was a caring and thoughtful man, supporting his family and friends, the colleagues he worked with, and his neighbours. Many trips to the Assiniboine Park Zoo, driving to speed skating practices or to out-of-town competitions for anyone who needed a ride, coaching baseball, mentoring new employees or fixing something broken for a neighbour - that was the way he worked. Many have reached out with stories of how Doug helped them in some way.
Doug loved his family and was committed to ensuring all was right for them, never putting himself first. This last year was difficult with the isolation due to the COVID pandemic, but he remained interested in and supportive of all that his family was undertaking. A special thank you to his niece Cindy Green, to Peter Baumstark, and to his neighbours Karl Wagenaar and Angelo and Vicky Cavadas for their support during this time.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Doug's life will be held at a later date.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society www.winnipeghumanesociety.ca or the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce www.ymcaowensound.on.ca which are special charities to Doug's daughters, and to him.
Messages of condolence may be sent to the family through the Bardal Funeral Home in Winnipeg at www.bardal.ca.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 27, 2021