Obituary Overview
Gordon Taylor Purchase
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gordon Taylor Purchase with family by his side on Saturday July 7, 2018 at Seven Oaks Hospital.
Gordon was born on Sept 19, 1919 in Winnipeg to Mary and Joseph Purchase. He grew up and went to school in the City’s North End. As a youngster, Gord was fascinated by railway engines. He was once returned home to his parents by the police after walking to the Arlington Bridge to see the railyards all by himself at age 4 or 5.
Airplanes also became a favourite after he was lucky enough to be a passenger in a barn-storming open cockpit aircraft at the age of ten. After working briefly as a truck driver for Winnipeg Electric, Gord enlisted in the RCAF in 1940. Men whose surnames were in the top half of the alphabet (A-M) became pilots & the other half (N-Z) as wireless airgunners. He trained in Calgary prior to shipping out to the UK in 1941. He proudly served in both the RCAF & RAF in England, Scotland, Squadron stationed in Ceylon.
Gord returned to Canada in 1945 where he worked in the Lumberyard Business in Manitoba & Saskatchewan. He then worked for the CPR as a fireman based in Smith Falls Ontario. After returning to Winnipeg he worked for Furnaceman until his retirement in 1984.
Gord met the love of his life, Sophie in Winnipeg after the war. They were married February 12, 1949. They had no children of their own, but treated their many nieces & nephews as such. They were a loving and inseparable couple until her death in 2012. He is now with her again.
His family would like to express their thanks to the staff at Riverwood Square, especially those of Chopin House for the kindness & care they showed him during his 4 year residence there. They would also like to thank the staff at Seven Oaks Hospital 4th floor Unit 1 for his
final care.
Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Gord’s Life will be held on Thursday July 12, 2018 at 2 pm in the Reception Room at Glen Lawn Funeral Home 455 Lagimodiere Blvd.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honour to the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada Hangar T-2, 958 Ferry Road Winnipeg MB R3H 0Y8
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Gordon Taylor Purchase 2018.source
Death notice for the town of: Winnipeg, Province: Manitoba