OBITUARIES
Gordon James Kennington
1938 – 2019
Gordon James Kennington
September 4, 1938 – August 30, 2019
Only a few days shy of his 81st birthday, Gordon, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather was unexpectedly taken from us.
Son of Herbert and Susie Kennington, and younger brother to Edward (Ted), Gord grew up in the Weston Area of Winnipeg.
A born storyteller, Gord would often reminisce about his younger years. Summers spent at Grand Beach at the family cottage were some of his most precious memories. Fishing and swimming with his grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles and cousins, and finding unique ways to make money with his older brother. Together Ted and Gord would scour the sandy shores in search of cans and bottles that could be exchanged for pennies and nickels, perfect for purchasing corner store candies.
In his teens and early 20s, Gord enjoyed tinkering with automobiles. He proposed to Barbara on Portage Avenue, inside his 1939 Pontiac Coupe. Barb and Gord were married on October 10, 1959 at St. Paul’s United Church, in Winnipeg. This year they would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Their beloved daughter Valerie was born in 1961, followed by their dear son Kevin in 1965.
Gord and Barb purchased their first and only home in 1971, in East Kildonan. The 1970’s were filled with travel trailer weekends to Poplar Bay Campground, and coaching hockey at Morse Place Community Club for Kevin’s age group. Gord often spoke fondly of the young men he coached, keeping in touch with many of them throughout the years. He particularly enjoyed meeting their families. Gord was instrumental in creating the Golden Puck Tournament that brought together community clubs from across Winnipeg to compete. This tournament became a huge success and continued for many years after Gord left coaching.
Through the 1980’s and 1990’s, snowmobiling became a great passion for both Gord and Barb. When they built their cottage at Sunset Bay in Lac Du Bonnet, they became involved with the Lee Riders Snowmobile Club and rode the trails each weekend. Gord also loved to putter around at the cottage, riding his lawn mower, going for boat rides, and chatting with neighbours.
Gord spent his career in the civil service, working for the City of Winnipeg for 37 years. He began his career as a broom sweep in front of City Hall when he was 16 years old. As time went on Gord climbed the ranks, becoming a street sweeper machine operator, refuse truck driver, bylaw officer, and finally District 3 Supervisor in the Refuse Department. One of the final projects that Gord worked on prior to retirement in 1993 was presenting and implementing the automatic refuse collection system, an early version of what is used today by the City of Winnipeg. Gord made many friends and acquaintances who he remained in touch with, and was proud of his accomplishments.
In retirement Gord took up woodworking as a hobby, spending countless hours in his garage constructing furniture and decorative pieces. While Gord enjoyed the process of creating his art, his true passion was connecting with the people he met through selling his work at craft sales and farmers markets throughout the Interlake and in Kenora. Gord had the gift of gab, and was able to find common ground with anyone he spoke with.
Gord was a giving, compassionate, loving, and good-natured person. He always had a twinkle in his blue eyes, hinting at his mischievous nature that was always close to the surface. He had the greatest belly laugh when something struck his fancy, and would laugh until tears flowed. Gord always put his family and close friends ahead of himself. He took care of each and everyone of us individually. He was the kind of man who would give you the shirt off his back freely, if he thought it would make your life even just an ounce better. His wisdom, guidance, and council will be greatly missed.
Survived by wife Barbara, daughter Valerie (Doug), son Kevin (Tanya), granddaughters Amy (Steve), Marquesa, and Keanna (Judson), favourite grandson Adam (Breanne), and great granddaughter Vera.
Gord, Dad, Grandpa, Great Grandpa, you were the wings beneath us.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Gordon James Kennington..
Bardal Funeral Home and Crematorium
Death notice for the town of: Winnipeg, Province: Manitoba