Obituary of Gordon Michael Abbott

Gordon Michael Abbott

August 15, 1929 – October 11, 2021

Corner Brook, NL.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, grand-father, and great-grandfather, Gordon Michael Abbott, on October 11th at the age of 92.

Gordon (Gord) was born on August 15, 1929, to parents Joseph and Catherine (Howlett) Abbott of Corner Brook.  Growing up, to his mother’s chagrin, Gordon would often go missing from school, only to be found out in the fields, riding, and chasing the horses.  As an adult his interests varied from old western movies to the classical music of the opera.  His other love was tinkering with old cars, taking apart and rebuilding engines from scratch.  He could fix anything, though Floss was often left puzzled as to how he could make an engine run with parts still left over.  He was a hard worker and took great pride in his job as a Steam Plant Operator for the Bowaters Company. Even without formal training as an engineer, he was most often the one that his coworkers went to when they encountered a problem that they couldn’t fix. 

Gordon was known as a quiet man and a consummate gentleman who treated everyone equally and with great respect.  Though he was not a man of many words, when he spoke you knew that it came from a place of deep introspection and observation of the world around him.  These last few years Dad became an avid viewer of American political programs, often marveling at the questionable actions of its political leaders. His dry wit, coupled with a strong sense of moral justice, made these often-lively discussions both entertaining and informative.

A modest man with the heart of a warrior, he fought cancer bravely until the very end. He was not ready to leave us. However, cancer quickly won the battle after the loss of his wife. As his children, and grandchildren, we can only hope to be half so noble, kind, and fierce as we try to navigate through life without them both. 

These words do not do justice to the man our father was, nor does it adequately express his strength of character and huge, loving heart. Our lives; will never be the same without him.

Leaving to mourn with loving memories: children Jenny (Paul) Smith, Mary, Rod (Colleen), Brian (Gladys), Bill (Dawn), Bob, Cyndi, and Sherri (Mark) Hackett.  Grandchildren: Paul (Alice), Mark (Sherry-Lynn) and Peter (Natalia); Erin (Mark) and Tyler (Danielle); Stephen (Jodi); Michael and Melanie; Stacy and Shelby; Colin (Alanna) and Haleigh; Kassie (Adam, and her mother Kathy Lukeman); Nathan and Cole.  Great grandchildren:  Andrew and Claire, Evan and Ryan, Joshua and Sienna, Hunter, Ty and Tayelyn, Colton, Aubrey, Dwayne, Sophie, and Maximus. Special sisters: Claire (Vince) Holland, Annette Hawkins, Patricia (Cluney) Stratton and Marie White. Also leaving to mourn, Tracy Spencer, Dad’s home support worker and a treasured friend to all of us.

Gordon was predeceased by his wife of 71 years Florence Ann Abbott, son Michael, granddaughters Jennifer and Allisen, his parents Joseph and Catherine Abbott, siblings Tom, John, Joe, Jim, Ted, Bob, Jane, Clara, Molly and Maude. Mother and father-in-law Alice and William Benoit; brothers in-law Patrick, Remi, Edward, Clem and Enos; sisters in-law Mary, Rita, Elsie, and Doreen.

Our family would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Tim Griffin, Dr. Kate Lafferty, Dr.Desiree Dunn, Dr. Healey, Dr. Park, and the nurses of the Cancer Centre and Palliative Care Unit (Western Long Term Care building). Your care and kindness towards Dad as well as us as a family will never be forgotten.

As per their wishes, services will be held in memory of both Florence and Gordon Abbott. Visitation at Fillatre’s Funeral Home, St. Mark’s Avenue will occur on Sunday, October 24th from 2-4pm and 7-9pm. A mass of Christian burial will occur on Monday, October 25th at 10:00am at the Holy Redeemer Cathedral, with interment to follow at Mt. Patricia Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, flowers will be graciously accepted, or donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”  Corinthians 16: 13-14