March 16, 1934 - January 28, 2024
In Loving Memory ~
Gord passed away peacefully in his sleep at Duncan Hospital on January 28th.
Gord is survived by his daughters Darlene Harris (Gary) and Diane Bridge (Daryl), sons Dan Whalley (Collette), Jason Whalley and Ryan Whalley, 9 grandchildren, 18 great children and many nieces and nephews.
Predeceased by his wife Yvonne, brother Frank and sisters Dorothy, Violet, and Margaret.
Gord was born in Vancouver and lived most of his early life in the Richmond area. He thrived on learning the mechanical industry and worked at many garages in his teenage and early adult years. Gord married his first wife Joy in 1954 with whom he had three children. The family eventually moved to the Ucluelet/Tofino area and established a very successful concrete business which exists to this day.
Gord married his second wife Carol several years later and enjoyed raising a blended family of 7 children in the Courtenay area while working as shop foreman in the heavy equipment industry.
Gord married his third wife Sue, in 1980 and had 2 boys while continuing to work in the heavy equipment industry. Gord eventually moved to Edmonton in the early 1980's where he met Yvonne, his wife of over 32 years.
Gord and Yvonne enjoyed traveling in their motorhome throughout western United States and B.C. They had fond memories of camping at various places on Vancouver Island including Kelsey Bay.
Gord was a hotrod enthusiast and built many hotrods over the years, raced top fuel cars, and built two high performance tractors in the mid 1980's, joining the tractor pull circuit. He won many events including one held at BC Place when it first opened in 1986, was Western Canadian champion and lost in the finals of the North American championship.
Gord's last 18 years were enjoyed in Honeymoon Bay. He loved his neighbors and friends, enjoyed helping them in various ways, and in turn appreciated their support of him. The family would like to acknowledge and thank all his neighbors and friends for their support over the years and in particular over the past few years when Gord was living on his own.
The family would also like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Sohn and his staff for their genuine care and attention supporting our father over the years, and particularly over the past six months. We'd also like to acknowledge and thank the staff at Duncan Hospital for their incredible support.
An open house to celebrate Gord's life will be held in the near future.