Gordon Young

The Young family is sad to announce the passing of James Edward Gordon Young in Canmore on January 15, 2015. He was 95 years old. Born in Toronto, Gord had lived in various parts of Canada and the United States, but spent the last 14 years of his life in the Bow Valley. He leaves his wife Sally; his four children Cheryl (Mike), Barry (Jane), James and Randolph (Jennifer); his grandchildren Adrienne, Mark, Chris, Jamie and Jenna; and his great-grandson Connor. As well he was Grampa to Sally's grandchildren Michael and Rayna; and her

great-grandchildren Olivia, Annika, Ivy, Rori and Lucas.

Gord did military service in World War II with the Royal Canadian

Air Force. At war's end he had qualified as a navigator in Lancaster bombers. He continued a peace-time career with the Air Force retiring with the rank of Flight Lieutenant in 1966. He then worked for the Ontario Government in the Ministry of Colleges and Universities until his retirement in 1984.

After his retirement, he and Sally travelled extensively in their camper van before settling at his summer cottage on Georgian Bay, and their winter home in Nokomis, Florida. They eventually chose a more maintenance free lifestyle at Tecumseth Pines, Ontario before moving to Alberta to be closer to their respective families in the west.

Gord was a life-long golfer, Blue Jays baseball fan and amateur carpenter. Wherever he lived, he built wonderful decks, arbours, trellises and tree-houses. He put his carpentry skills to use in his volunteer role at Fort Calgary using period tools to demonstrate historical construction methods. Gord, in fact, volunteered wherever he lived. He was an interpreter and sailor on a 19th century schooner at the Penetanguishene Naval Establishment. Most recently he guided at the NWMP Barracks in Canmore. And as for those Blue Jays, everything stopped when there was a game to be watched!

Although his activities were restricted by failing eyesight in his later years, he still made his daily walks into town. He was well known on Main Street with his trademark white cane and Biltmore hat. Even after his eyesight limited his ability to play, he and Sally were regulars at the Canmore Golf Club for dinner. And it was here that a family reunion was held to celebrate his 90th birthday in 2009.

Our sincere thanks to everyone at the Golden Eagle View residence, where Gord spent his final years, for their compassion, care and support. In respect of Gord's wishes there will be no funeral service at this time. However friends and family will be invited to come together sometime this spring to remember Gord and to scatter his ashes - both in the valley that was his final home, and at the Porter family cottage in Gig Harbor that he so enjoyed.

Services provided by Russ Reynolds and Bow River Funeral Service.