With much love and sorrow, we celebrate the life and mourn the death of John Gordon Gilmour of Badenoch, Ontario.John slipped away from us on a brilliant October afternoon while holding the hand of his beloved “Brown Haired Girl”, Norma, his wife of 69 years. He was in his 94th year. John was the eighth of nine children born to Andrew Gilmour and Effie Ord. John was a Badenoch Boy through and through. He spent his whole life within walking distance from his birthplace on a farm which straddled the Puslinch/Flamborough Line. In the 1950’s and 1960’s the Badenoch Ball Team was a force to be reckoned within the Rural Ontario Fastball League. John was a lefty pitcher with a mean rising curveball and a formidable knuckleball. When his kids were growing up, John shared his love of fastball with the many youth teams he coached. John was a dreamer and an explorer. He knew every corner of the farm he and Norma have owned since 1958. He and Norma also travelled widely across North America, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii and Europe. While at home, he devoured history and travel books. He was a lifelong learner. Wherever John went, he made friends from all walks of life. He worked for 30 years as a Poultry Science Technician at the University of Guelph. During his years there, he befriended students, coworkers and professors alike. He spent his life in service to his community. He was an active volunteer and fundraiser for many initiatives over the years. He helped many people by donating blood more than 100 times. John had a voice that entranced small children and calmed nervous livestock. He delighted his grandsons with wooden toys from his workshop. He was a gifted storyteller and he loved to sing in the shower. John and Norma were a handsome couple as they waltzed around the dance floor. John was a caring husband to Norma and loving father to Stephen (Ruth), Bradley (Patricia), Andrea (Randy), Diane (Shelby), and Patrick (Maria). He and Norma were also so very proud of their eight grandsons: Greg (Cora), Jeffrey, Mark (Hannah), Matthew, Daniel (Joanna), Ben (Tasha), Jacob (Katie), and Matthew. Their four great grandchildren lit up their lives. Lincoln, Rhett, Priya and Georgia will miss their gentle great grandfather. John also leaves his very dear surviving siblings, Douglas and Wylda and many wonderful relatives and friends. In remembrance of John, please be kind to one another and reach out by contributing to a charity that is close to your heart. A memorial may be planned at a later date.
