GARY H.R. FORD

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GARY H.R. FORD Suddenly at his home in Victoria, BC on July 9, 2000, Gordon (Gary) Henry Ronald Ford passed from this life into the next. Dad lived his life as he saw fit, marching to the beat of his own drum. Born in Tredegar South Wales on July 31, 1925, Gary was a Second World War veteran enlisting in the R.A.F. six weeks before his 18th birthday. Gary was a rear air gunner and during his first raid over Germany, his plane was shot down. As a result of his injuries, Gary spent a year in rehabilitation and lived with a lifelong injury of partial paralysis down his right side. He was declassified as air crew and spent a year in the army. In 1949 Gary transferred back to the R.A.F. in Special Services and spent his last four years in the service in Fontanbleau France with Allied Air Forces Central Europe. In 1957 intent upon embarking on a new life, Gary immigrated to Canada with his new wife Nora Hargreaves. The majority of Garys professional career was spent in the insurance business. In addition he spent 15 years working in Johannesburg South Africa. But everything took a back seat to his passion of "clowning". Dad loved to be in the spotlight. Involved in entertaining the Allied Troops during the Second World War, he was bitten with the bug to entertain. Starting with the Sertoma Club he proceeded to form the professional clown act of Hocus and Pocus. Hocus and Pocus entertained throughout Manitoba at such venues as the Red River Ex, Morris Stampede, Breakfast with Santa (held at the Bay) etc., and after each performance they would make an impromptu visit to Childrens Hospital or the Shriners Hospital for Sick Kids. A lifelong member of the magicians society Dad entertained young and old with his incredible slight of hand. In addition, Dad was also Ronald McDonalds for the first ten years that McDonalds was in existence in Manitoba. His territory included Manitoba, Saskatchewan and North Western Ontario and he opened and reopened many stores delighting thousands of children. He leaves to mourn his children, Michele (Bruce), Janine (Bill), Michael (Michelle) grandchildren, Justin and Nicole and Collin and Chase, and his former wife Nora Homyshyn along with numerous relatives in England. On a beautiful summer day, Dads ashes were spread from a bridge into an ocean inlet. A befitting resting place for the man who brought a smile to thousands of childrens faces. A private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or Childrens Hospital. Rest in peace Dad and may God be with you

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 22, 2000