Gordon peacefully passed away on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at Deer Lodge Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the age of 86 years.

 

He will be missed and lovingly remembered by his wife Phyllis (Joan); daughters Rosalie and Hollis (Doug); son Julian; grandchildren Kali, Nathaniel and Alexander; sister Joyce (Calwyn); brother Keith (Audrey); and many family members around the world.  

 

Gordon was predeceased by his parents Gladys and Julius Hopkins; sisters Laurel and Mavis; and brother Cecil. 

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Gordon was born Sunday, June 5, 1932 on the beautiful island of Grenada. In his 20s, he moved to Guyana where he lived with his Uncle John and met a lovely young woman who was then living with her family across the street.  They would wed and she was his wife of 58 years.

 

His love of cars led him to become a mechanic at Geddis Grant and he would sometimes take his family to the local car race course where he was a part of the pit crew.  Some locals even had the privilege of having Gord teach them to drive.  He immigrated to Canada in the mid 70's where he worked with mainly Ford dealerships in Winnipeg.

 

Despite the cold, Gordon loved Canada and enjoyed his many years here. But, you could take the man off the island but Grenada stayed with him always. He dedicated a lot of time as a member of the Grenadian Association of Manitoba which allowed him the opportunity to connect with his fellow Grenadians and the wider local community as a volunteer.  During the Folklorama Festival he could be seen working behind the bar alongside friends, telling jokes and making the rum punch way too strong. He was also a part of his neighbourhood’s Social Committee at the Carpathia Co-Op Housing. Gordon was a very social person that enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He loved watching any and all sports in his well worn in Lazy Boy recliner but also was part of a bowling team, enjoyed 5am fishing trips to Lockport, and playing racquetball until an injury sidelined him.  Music was always on and in his later years he would be seen doing his household chores and working in his garden with his earphones on listening to everything from calypso, to gospel, to pop and the occasional off season Christmas song. He sometimes traveled “back home” but also enjoyed trips to visit family and friends around the US.   

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He was a proud grandfather to three beautiful and accomplished grandchildren, who kept him hopping, and a beloved Uncle to many nieces and nephews. He loved us, we loved him and he will be missed.

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We would like to thank the healthcare providers at Deer Lodge Centre Tower 7 for all of their wonderful care and compassion over the past three years and the staff at Seven Oaks Hospital who cared for Gordon when he was first hospitalized. 

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A celebration of Gordon's life will be held at 2pm, Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at 603 Wellington Crescent at Academy Road (Unitarian Church)

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A memorial service in Grenada will be planned. Details to follow.