December 9, 1928 - February 20, 2010
Gord passed away peacefully with his daughter Cindy and his companion Trudy by his side. Predeceased by his sisters Marlene Petrie and Dolores Sirup; and children Shawneen and Russell. Lovingly remembered by his longtime companion Trudy Ammann; his wife June Mutch; children Randy (Doris), Leslie (Sonja), Jim (Lorna) and Cindy (Al) Williams; grandchildren Carla, Rosie, Branden, Brittany, Triston, Troy, Erin, Chad, Jolene, Candace, and Christopher; thirteen great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Gord enjoyed a long and successful career in the forestry industry, working in Caycuse-Camp 6 his entire life, spanning the years from steam locomotives to truck logging. He learned many skills, starting on the “Locie” to working in the blacksmith shop and finally as a heavy duty mechanic. Gord was a very talented man who loved fixing things. He was always ready to lend a helping hand, repairing everything from a broken washing machine or furnace to monkey wrenching any sort of vehicle. Rather than throw it away he would figure out the problem and if he couldn’t find the necessary part he would make something that would work.
Gordon loved the outdoors and his greatest passions in life were hunting and fishing. As a young man he had a trap line and cougar hounds. “Big Fella”, his favourite, accompanied him on many successful hunts which earned Gordon the nickname “Cougar”. After retirement, he continued hunting and fishing. Summers were spent at Port Renfrew and the autumn hunting in the Fort St. James area. At 80, he won one of the two limited entry draws for a bull elk in the Renfrew area. He successfully completed his hunt on the second day out.
On his property near Lake Cowichan he selectively logged and then milled his own lumber. He was a competent carpenter, always building twice as strong as necessary. He constructed all his own out buildings and was instrumental in completing renovations to the studio on Greendale Road.
Thank you to Dr. Russell Graham, Lorene Benoit and Dr. David Froese as well as the nurses and doctors in the emergency room at Cowichan District Hospital. A tea will be held for Gord at Lake Cowichan Centennial Hall (downstairs) on Sunday, March 7, 2010 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, a donation in memory of Gord may be made to the SPCA, 7550 Bell-McKinnon Road, Duncan, BC V9L 6B1.