Obituary of T. Wayne Gordon

Gordon, Thomas “Wayne” – (AKA ‘Big Guy’) passed away peacefully on Wed March 7, 2018 at CKHA with his wife, daughter and brother at his side.

 

Son of the late Howard & Maude (MacDonald) Gordon.  Soulmate of Deborah (Mackelberg), Father of Lisa (Jason), Grampa to Georgia and Kennedi. Brother to June (Ken) Horne, Calgary, and George (Betty) Gordon, Ridgetown, Uncle to many and “influential male role model” to so many more.

 

Wayne was born August, 17, 1946. He grew up outside Highgate on the farm, tearing up the local roads, making friends, memories and leaving a trail of stories behind him. In 1975, he married Debbie and their life blossomed into Lisa in 1977, and then to Calgary in 1981.  Wayne worked at CP Rail’s Ogden shops working on the locomotives and as usual, loved what he did.  He started a slo-pitch league with all the different departments, which then changed to joining mixed city leagues when both Debbie and Lisa and even her high school friends started to play.  Over 20 years he coached this team; camping and tournaments most weekends. 

 

In 2000, he retired from CP Rail and took on odd jobs to keep busy; volunteer driver for the Cancer society but bus driving was his favourite - making friends with and playing jokes on the kids.  January 2006 was the start of our new home and ‘family’ in Caliente Casa de Sol Resort, Florence, AZ for 12 wonderful years where his love of playing cards every night, karaoke, golfing, shooting pool, eating, and happy hours galore took place. In 2010, we moved back to Chatham to enjoy family & old friends – specially his brother’s bunch, the DeBoer clan, Wayne & Lorrie Clark and Joe & Lorri Wardell.

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He also coached Midget hockey, bowled (starting many offside betting quarter games), and curled. Camping and horse riding pack trips across the Canadian Rockies, deep sea fishing off the panhandle of Alaska, traveling to Tuktoyaktuk NWT, Dawson City YK, the west coast of United States, the redwoods of California, the black hills of South Dakota, New Orleans LA, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Branson MO, Graceland, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, and Belgium were just many of the miles Wayne put on in life.  His last most exciting place to visit was Mount Airy NC – hometown of Andy Griffith and Mayberry.

 

In honoring Wayne’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a “party” will be held Sunday March 25, 2018 at the Highgate, Ont. Legion 1-4 PM; cash bar, sandwiches, light snacks, bring your stories & laughs (microphone will be available). If you wish, donations can be made to the “Boerski’s fundraiser”, cash, e-transfers or checks to “Deborah Gordon”, in support of our 2 nephews in their battle with brain cancer, but Mr. P’s (Personality) biggest wish is to love and enjoy life to the fullest, visit while they are alive, and enjoy the “ride of life”.

 

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com

 

McKinlay Funeral Home

459 St. Clair Street,

Chatham

519 351 2040