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GORDON JOHNSON
It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of father, grandfather and great-grandfather Gordon Johnson of Winnipeg. After a life well-lived, Gord left us peacefully at the Holy Family Personal Care Centre in Winnipeg on June 18th at the age of 94.
An original and long-time tenant of Middlechurch on the Red Condominium, he was predeceased by his parents Anna and John Johnson, and in 2016 by his wife of 63 years Mary (Mae) nee Waite. Gord is survived by four children: Garth (Maria) of Winnipeg, Lori (John) of Kelowna, Glen (Karen Ann) of Toronto and Gary of New York City, along with six grandchildren: Sarah (Eric), Andrea (Erick), Carly, Kelsey, Erik and Rocky, and six great-grandchildren Kamila, Austin, Bryson, Reilly, Bentley and Florence.
Gord was born in Winnipeg in 1931, living on Main Street between Henry and Logan for 22 years until he and Mae got married and moved to raise a family in the community of Morse Place in East Kildonan. Gord attended Argyle, Hugh John MacDonald and St Johns Tech schools as a child. He began his working career at Manitoba Telephone System in 1951 and retired from there in 1990. He started as a lineman and worked in numerous roles over the years, his last being Senior Marketing Advisor. He made many lifelong friends at MTS including the infamous "Friday Night Poker" group. Gord was an active member of the Telephone Pioneers giving back to the community through delivering Christmas Cheer Board hampers to needy families for many years.
Gord, Mae and the kids spent many, many happy years up at the family cabin in Sandy Hook where he could be seen riding his bike for hours on end, hosting bonfires and mildly dangerous firework displays, volunteering at the Community Club, or walking the beaches skipping rocks.
Gord was a very accomplished athlete and sports official. He began his athletic career at St Johns Tech running track, and playing basketball and football. In 1949, his St Johns team won the provincial basketball championship. Gord was the 220 yard dash provincial champ that same year. In 1950, St Johns won the football championship with Gord as the leading scorer.
Gord became a member of the local Winnipeg Stellars basketball team in 1950 that won the Canadian Junior Basketball Championship in Halifax later that year. He joined the Manitoba Football Officials Association in 1959 and worked his way up to the Canadian Football League as an official in 1969. Gord officiated for 16 years in the CFL and earned four Grey Cup assignments. He further went on to become a CFL Officiating Supervisor for another 10 years.
Gord also spent many years volunteering as a coach and manager for hockey, softball and baseball teams in the Morse Place, Elmwood and River East areas. His self-acclaimed areas of expertise were shoveling the rinks, raking the diamonds and driving the kids around.
In 1984, the Winnipeg Stellars Basketball team was inducted into the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame, and in 1995 were further inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame. In 2010, Gord was also inducted into the Manitoba Football Hall of Fame as an official and later served on their Board.
The accolades were never the goal, as Gord made so many great life-long friends over the years through all his athletic endeavors; he just loved doing it. His passion for success and his quick wit will be missed by many. He had a great run!
The family would like to thank the medical staffs and health care workers at Seven Oaks Hospital, Grace Hospital and Holy Family for their amazing and loving care over these last five challenging months. Gord has been cremated at his wish, and will be interred in the Gimli Cemetery. Further details will be forthcoming regarding Gord's Celebration of Life.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 05, 2025
Condolences & Memories (6 entries)
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We were sorry to hear of Gord’s death earlier this spring. Mae and Gord were both great friends and neighbours when we lived across from each other in Morse Place. Gord had such a kind heart - when we had a new baby, he walked our children and his grandchildren to school and later helped paint the inside of our new house. We have such fond memories of spending time with Mae, Gord and their family. We are sorry to miss the opportunity to celebrate Gord’s life on Aug 31 - we will be thinking of him and your family. - Posted by: Leslie & Ian Donnelly (neighbour and friend) on: Aug 23, 2025
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I just learned of Gord's passing. He had so much to offer to his family and friends and he gladly shared of his time and talents. He was a great help to me as I followed in his football officiating footsteps. He was a quality individual as witnessed by his wonderful family that he and Mae raised together. He will be missed but never forgotten. A gentleman and a friend who made the world a better place to live. Rest in Peace my friend. - Posted by: JAMES KRAEMER (Family Friend) on: Jul 09, 2025
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Always enjoyed talking with your dad. Missed him walking outside In Sandy Hook and wondered how he was. Condolences to your whole family during this difficult time. Praying for peace and strength during this time.💕💕 - Posted by: Corinne Norris nee Bye (Sandy Hooker) on: Jul 06, 2025
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Gord's life touched so many, including me. I especially valued the support he provided to officials like me when they started out. In one of my first games as a referee, Gord was the line judge. I called a player for holding, who protested the call to the much more veteran official. "Gord, was that holding?", the player pleaded. "Was that holding!", was Gord's response and walked away. Satisfied, the player went back to his huddle for the next play, not realizing that Gord could not have had any idea what I called because it wasn't in his zone of coverage. He just had my back. He will be missed. I hope warm memories sustain all of us who knew him and are feeling this loss. - Posted by: GARRY SLOBODIAN (Friend) on: Jul 05, 2025
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So sorry to hear of Mr. Johnson’s passing. A wonderful person who was very kind and well liked in our community. Truly blessed to have known him. My Condolences to the entire family. Rest in peace, #40. - Posted by: Grant Tymchuk (Friend) on: Jul 05, 2025
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Our thoughts are with the Johnsons which is not only a difficult time but a time with great memories. Typical Gord, who I’ve known for sixty years but only learned of his accomplishments from others including a few new ones today. He didn’t tell me about his pool prowess and regularly kicked my butt in visits to our home. Rest in peace “Gordo”. Neil and Gloria. - Posted by: NEIL PAYNE (Friend) on: Jul 05, 2025