Parcourez la nécrologie de Gordon Albert Alexander Olafson April 19 2025 résidant dans la province Ontario pour le détail des funérailles
Gordon Albert Alexander Olafson Obituary
Gordon Olafson
July 2, 1939 – April 19, 2025
Gordon passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours of April 19th, 2025. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Pauline (nee Grauer), their four children: John (Kimberly), Gregory (Marina), Kristin (Paul), Lauren (Kevin), and seven grandchildren: Jacob, Ethan, Ella, Seth, Anna, Sara and Alexander « Bear ». He is also survived by his brother James (Carol), sister-in-law Anne McCallum and their families. He was predeceased by his parents Albert (1955) and Jean (2003) and brother-in-law Duncan McCallum (2024).
Gordon was proud of his Icelandic heritage, having been born in Selkirk, Manitoba where he grew up in an Icelandic community surrounded by his grandparents, aunts and uncles. His family moved to Vancouver where he attended elementary school and then John Oliver High School, making friendships which have endured to this day. His dedication to sports began at an early age as he played baseball, football, rugby, soccer, and ran track throughout high school. He attended UBC where he was a Varsity athlete (proud Thunderbird) in football and rugby while pursuing undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Sport and Physical Education (Physiology) and assuming leadership roles in many campus organizations.
Professionally, Gordon taught briefly at the high school and community college levels in Vancouver before completing his PhD in Sport Administration at the University of Illinois. This led to a career of over 30 years teaching in the Faculty of Human Kinetics at the University of Windsor. Continuing the activism begun at UBC, he engaged in many leadership roles, serving as Head of Department, on the Senate and Board of Governors and was active in the Faculty and Retirees’ Associations. He was a founding editor of the academic Journal of Sport Management. He received great pleasure working with and mentoring young people, especially his hard working graduate students, and was a devoted supporter of his own children and grandchildren’s sporting and academic endeavours.
To support Pauline’s agricultural background and love of horses, he willingly became a « gentleman farmer » on the Es property where they raised their family and cared for an assortment of animals over the years. He built fences, baled hay, and used his carpentry skills to finish the inside of a beautiful garage/stable while also working to remodel an old farmhouse.
He will be remembered as a warm, caring and devoted family man, friend, and educator. His passing leaves a huge void in our lives, but many fond and happy memories to cherish and a role model for the next generation.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held at Reid Funeral Home, 87 Maidstone Avenue East in Es on Saturday, May 3rd from 1 to 3 p.m. Memorial remarks and Words of Remembrance at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heart and Stroke Foundation, The Kidney Foundation or Hospice. Special thanks to the wonderful Ontario Health at Home team, especially nurses Gwen and Jen, and the PSWs who helped his family to care for Gordon at home. Online condolences and cherished memories may be shared at www.reidfuneralhome.ca
April 19 2025
Décès pour la Ville:Leamington, Province: Ontario
avis deces Gordon Albert Alexander Olafson April 19 2025
nécrologie Gordon Albert Alexander Olafson April 19 2025
Nous offrons nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux amis de Gordon Albert Alexander Olafson April 19 2025 et espérons que leur mémoire pourra être une source de réconfort pendant cette période difficile. Vos pensées et vos mots aimables sont grandement appréciés.