Late into the evening of April 25, 2019, after a dispute with an unscrupulous melanoma, Gordon Beck quietly crossed to the far banks of the Rubicon. Back in port, he leaves behind his beloved wife Ewa Bujnicka, her son Paul Klepaczko, his sister Lu, brother Jack, and countless treasured friends far and near.
Gordon’s passions were photography, antiquarian books, digression, and Ewa’s cooking. His talent and great love of photography took him all over the globe, at one time travelling to Europe and Asia with his VW van, “Gulliver”; later packing his 8×10 camera into his converted school bus (complete with fireplace) and trekking across Canada; and for the last decade he explored the backroads and forgotten farmlands of Leeds and Grenville with his faithful Kia Rondo. (“Ewa, if the snow continues come morning, you won’t see me or the camera for a few hours.”) But if you asked his favorite place in the world he would pause, close his eyes, and readily transport himself to Kukulczyn, his wife’s family home in Poland.
When not out taking photos, he was in his Brockville gallery and bookstore, From Here to Infinity, or down in the basement shuffling books and ephemera around in an organizational system comprehensible only to himself. But for all of his accomplishments, talents, and avocations, his greatest gift to all of us was his friendship. With his gentle manner, big blue eyes, disobedient hair, and enchanting ability to tell poetic tales, he effortlessly drew people of all stripes to his side. Our lives are exceptionally richer for having been part of his, and our grief is the bargain we gratefully make for having loved him so very much.
Celebration of Gordon’s Life Saturday, May 4, 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Irvine Funeral Home, Four James Street East, Brockville, ON K6V 1J9.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Gordon Keith Beck Thursday April 25th 2019..
Death notice for the town of: Brockville, Province: Ontario