Walter’s Obituary
On Saturday January 16th, Walter Merle Gordey passed away at age 83. Walter was predeceased by his father Merle (1995); brother-in-law Herman Rhode (2003); nephew Locky Frey (1993); mother Nora (2011); sister-in-law Irene (2011); brother Neville (2016); sister-in-law Marjorie (2017) and sister-in-law Rose (2020). Walter is survived by and leaves to mourn his loving wife Olga of 61 years; daughters Pam (Greg) Cartwright, Maurena Gordey, Darleen (Clarence) Budal and son Errol (Sandi) Gordey; brothers Lorne (Mary) Gordey, Lyle and sister Joan (Willie) Frey; grandchildren Whitney (Christy) Riddell, Catlin Brown, Mikaela Gordey-Parenteau (Joe), Blake Gordey and Thor (Kaylee) Budal; extended grandchildren Cole (Emily) Smith & family, Mandi (Ryan) Stewart & family; great-grandsons Elliot Brown, Christopher Riddell, great-granddaughter Natalie Wood; along with many other friends and neighbors. Walter also leaves to mourn and will be greatly missed at 5:00pm everyday by his close friend and neighbor, Ron Matheson.
He lived a life of his own choosing filled with numerous accomplishments and adventures. Walter came with his family from Red Deer to the deadwood area at age 14. He grew up in this area and pioneered a farm operation there and worked closely with his brothers Lyle and Lorne who were doing the same on adjacent land. Brother Neville was also just down the road whenever a serious mechanic’s problem was at hand. Along the way he owned and operated heavy machinery to clear his land and the land of many other farms in the area. He also spent many winters operating machinery for others in many regions of the province and northwest territories to supplement farm income. Through this time he earned a reputation of being an expert heavy duty mechanic, a master ironworker with legendary welding skills and one of the fussiest carpenters you would ever work with. He was known to be able to fix or build almost anything. These skills were put to good use when him and his brothers started a logging operation. They harvested trees and ran a sawmill that produced lumber for their own use and some off sales.
Walters main pastime when not working was fishing. His home is filled with pictures of the multiple fishing trips he has been on from the pacific ocean to Margaret lake and many in between. As much as the fishing, he enjoyed the time spent with buddies and family members whether it was during a fishing trip, working on a project or just getting together on dusty chairs in a shop talking about farming or fixing and having a beer or even a nip of that homemade moonshine. Another hobby was fixing up old cars and tractors. He became quite proficient at this and was part of an old car club for several years. Some of his work is on display and some is still underway.
He will be missed dearly by all those mentioned above and especially by his children and his wife Olga of over 60 years who was by his side comforting him like always, to the last day.
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October 12 1937 January 16 2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Walter Merle Gordey October 12 1937 January 16 2021..
Chapel of Memories Funeral Homes & Crematorium
Décès pour la Ville:Peace River, Province: Alberta