Passed away Friday April 16th at the Guelph General Hospital after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s, in his 92nd year. Don was devoted to his family and is survived by his wife of 70 years, Katherine Gordon; his children James Gordon and his wife Val Morse, Ian Gordon, Jennifer Gordon and her husband Brad Rooke; grandchildren Evan Gordon, Geordie Gordon, Alexandra Odessa Gordon, and Tristan Rooke; great- grandchildren Ameliya and Vivienne Slezak; and an extended Gordon clan in Canada and Scotland. Born in Toronto in 1930, the youngest of seven children of Scottish immigrants James and Margaret Gordon. Don retired after 35 years as head of R&D in the Engineering Department of the University of Guelph. He enjoyed more than 50 years in the beautiful home he built by hand on land he cleared himself in Rockwood, Ontario. He was an inventor, bagpiper, teacher, mechanic, homesteader and creative genius, a country gentleman with a big heart and endless dry wit and humour. We expect he will be oiling the squeaky hinges on heaven’s gates and giving them a good coat of Tremclad. Don’s family is grateful for the excellent care he received in his time at Wellington Terrace Long Term Care Home in Fergus ON. Cremation arrangements have been made through the Wall-Custance Funeral Home & Chapel. A celebration of Don’s remarkable life will take place at a later date. Donations in his name would be appreciated to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada.
Bagpipe Lament
Someone will play
‘The Flowers of the Forest’
when his candle flickers out,
a bagpipe lament
when the light disappears,
the sound could reach an angel’ heart if they had one.
(Katherine L. Gordon -April 16th, 2021)
A tree will be planted in memory of Donald J. Gordon in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.
519-822-0051
www.wallcustance.com