WALMSLEY, Gordon Halstead - (August 23, 1931 – October 4, 2020) - The world seems a little less bright right now for all of us who knew and loved Gordon Halstead Walmsley.
Surrounded by love and by family, Gordon passed away peacefully the evening of Sunday, October 4th, 2020.
He had recently accepted an invitation to move in with his youngest daughter Judy and son-in-law Wayne in Barrie, Ontario and was overjoyed with his new home. His last weeks were spent sharing love and laughter and absolutely overflowing with happiness.
Gordon was born August 23, 1931, in Frankford, Ontario to Joseph and Edythe Anne Walmsley and was younger brother to Betty and Willow.
As a young man, he and his wife Shirley took over the family business from Gordon’s parents and raised their family of three children in beautiful Prince Edward County. He was honest and very hard working and instilled the same values in his kids.
He found time to enjoy all sorts of great pastimes. Over the years he played the bass guitar, took up golf, was always being creative either with sewing something or sculpting something with copper wire or sketching or writing letters. He dabbled in photography and invested time in recording and sharing family history. Later in life he developed a talent for baking bread which we all enjoyed. Bike riding was the hobby that cycled through his whole life though, starting as a young boy who loved his two wheels, to taking his own kids on a bike-a-thon adventure, through to the countless kilometres he covered exploring Toronto on his trusty bicycle during retirement.
Gordon had a positive outlook and a zest for life that we and so many others will dearly miss. With a great sense of adventure, he enjoyed his move in the 80’s to the big city of Toronto, where he spent many wonderful years taking in as much of the arts and culture scene as he could possibly squeeze in.
If you knew Gord, you knew his keen sense of humour was a big part of who he was. In spite of the groans, he was proud as punch of his punny ‘Dad’ jokes.
Gord absolutely loved people and didn’t ever walk down the street without striking up a few conversations with strangers. He was non judgmental, accepting and gregarious.
Our Dad/Grandpa wasn’t perfect and didn’t pretend to be, but did his very best. He often let us know how much we were “loved and treasured” and gave us the precious gift of being loved unconditionally.
Gordon has three children, six grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. When the littlest member of his family on a recent FaceTime visit referred to him as “great, great, great, great grandpa” he relished in all of those adjectives describing what kind of a grandpa he really was.
Thankful that he was healthy and enjoying life into his 90th year and grateful for all the fabulous memories he has given us, it is with much love and many hugs we honour our fun and funny, adventurous, creative, loving Dad/Grandpa/Gord. Know that you are loved and treasured, forever and always.
Gordon’s practice in his own giving was to call the Red Cross and inquire what programs were most in need at that time. He would be happy to know that friends and family adopted his practice and contributed in his spirit.
Arrangements entrusted with Trull funeral home, Toronto.
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