Obituaries

DONALD LEE GORDON
MARCH 31, 1941-SEPTEMBER 29, 2025

Donald leaves behind to mourn his wife Irene, son Chris (Lisa), daughter Kathy (Travis), grandchildren Jesse, Riley and Felix, brother Glen (Elisabeth) and many extended family members.

Donald was born to Eunice Marion (nee Rooke) and James MacDonald “Mac” Gordon, in Cupar, Saskatchewan living both on the farm and in town as he grew up. He went to the University of Saskatchewan where he obtained a degree in Electrical Engineering. He met Irene in 1961, on a blind date, while in university, and they married in 1963.

Donald’s career as an Electrical Engineer spanned 42 years. The start of Donald’s career was a five-year period in Newfoundland of which both Donald and Irene spoke fondly. His career took his family to live in Gillam and Winnipeg as well as Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Mesa, Arizona. Donald travelled to other parts of the world for work, including China, India and New Zealand. Donald was renowned for his expertise in Hydro Electric Transmission and was a DC electrode specialist. During his time with Teshmont Consultants, Donald worked with a team of engineers with whom he and Irene became lifelong friends with both them and their families.

Having seen the world while working Donald was stimulated to travel, and Irene was equally enthusiastic. They canoed in many places including Paint Lake, Manigotagan and Meadow Lake Provincial Park. He and Irene took up hiking and spent five days hiking and backpacking Mount Assiniboine in the Rockies. They joined the Charleswood Ski Club to cross-country ski and had many family holidays in the Rockies downhill skiing. More exotic holidays were spent in Mexico, Greece, England, Scotland, Costa Rica and Hawaii and most recently cruising. All trips Donald planned and booked on his own.

We could spend days talking about Donald’s many hobbies. Each one tackled with enthusiasm and detailed study. He learned to fly in Regina and owned a small plane, an “Aeronca Chief” that he flew for pleasure. He was a car buff, restored a Mazda RX7, joined the Winnipeg Street Rod Association and went to car shows where he met other car enthusiasts. He joined the Mineral Society and collected many rocks and geodes. Donald built an electric train, with all the landscaping and joined the Manitoba Model Railway Association. He liked to paint. He made beer and wine. He learned to cook. He liked to watch the birds and built a variety of feeders out of tin cans and scrap material for the back yard. Donald was the ‘techie’ of the family, not only working on computers but also on anything else that needed mending. If that was not enough, he also built his own house from the design stage to when they moved in, with Chris working by his side.

Family was a priority. Donald watched many softball games when Kathy played. He sat in cold hockey rinks, at baseball diamonds and football fields watching Jesse and Riley play the sports they love, always a proud and silent cheerleader. Education held high value for him and he supported both his children and grandchildren with pride as they pursued their aspirations. He also encouraged Irene as she became a published author. Family gatherings with all the siblings, children and grandchildren were special times and took place several times a year.

A service to hounor Donald will be held, Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at 1:00pm, at Saint Charles Catholic Parish located at 320 St. Charles Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3K 1V2

He will be missed.