Aged 66 years. Born December 22nd, 1942,
Corner Brook, Newfoundland.
It is with great sadness that we announce Gordon’s passing on November 16th, 2009, in Parksville, British Columbia.
Preceded by his parents, Alonzo & Sophie Howe; Gordon is survived by his loving wife and soulmate, Margaret Suzanne (O’Reilly), sons, Jonathon Gordon & William Robert (Heather), his beautiful granddaughter, Keana Margaret Elaine Trudel, brother Fred (Rose), and sisters Beulah Schroeder, Hazel Dumond, and Valerie Hounsell (Dave), aunts Liza Hiscock & Millie Goosney. The O’Reilly family, Rosemary, Betty, Terry (Mary) and Mike (Leanne). His many nieces, nephews and cousins. Gord was loved by all who knew him, and we will miss him greatly.
Terms such as loving, dependable, honest, hardworking, determined, intelligent, integrity, creative and fun loving go a long way in describing Gord’s character. He let very few things in life get him down and was always quick with a smile and was first in line to help out a neighbor or friend. Gordon was a truly incredible man who threw his hat in the ring many times in his full sixty six years. He was a member of the Canadian Military, stationed in Germany for three years with the armored core division, a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, a heavy equipment operator and trainer, a sawmill owner/ operator. He ran a night club and lounge in Baie Verte, NL (with a fruit stand attached!). He even owned a motorcycle dealership in Labrador City for a short while. On top of that, he was a miner of iron ore, coal and gold, moving to Tumbler Ridge in 1984 to begin work at Quintette Coal as a Mine Operations Foreman. His true passions though, were hunting and fishing, and spending time outdoors with his family and his good buddies. His recent salmon fishing trip to Bamfield and his annual moose hunt in Tumbler Ridge were absolute highlights for him, as were his visits with his sisters and brother.
As Gordon made a life for his family, he did so by leaving “The Rock” and heading for the Rockies. Accordingly, celebrations of his life will take place in both areas in the summer of 2010. Family and friends are warmly invited to attend one of these ceremonies in Tumbler Ridge, BC, and/or Corner Brook, NL. Details to follow.
In lieu of flowers, at Gordon’s request, donations can be made to The BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, “Think of a Child”, 938 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4. 1-604-876-2444 http://www.bcchf.ca/memorialgiving