Gordon Joseph Taylor
(March 29, 1953- October 23, 2019)
Sydney Mines
It is with profound sadness that we, the family of Gordon (Gordie) Joseph Taylor, 66, announce his passing after a short and courageous battle with cancer. Gordie passed away peacefully on October 23, 2019 surrounded by his loving wife of 43 years Nadine (MacNeil), and his children, daughter Alana (Sean), and son Kyle (Lisa).
Gordie was born in the very early hours of March 29th 1953. Growing up in North Sydney across from Marine Atlantic was just the beginning of his lifelong relationship with the strait crossing. He retired as Senior Buyer after a remarkable 41-year career, with Marine Atlantic. Gordie’s door was never closed, a true testament to his welcoming personality and willingness to help anyone he could. He held his relationships with the purchasing team very dear to his heart. Gordie had an adventurous, humorous personality, his favorite saying being “I’ve got a little job for you”. He truly left everyone around him with so many wonderful memories of all his good deeds and moments of giving.
He developed a passion for sports at a very early age. He put on his first pair of skates at the age of 6 and instantly fell in love with the game of Hockey. Gordie was considered to be one of the most skilled goaltenders in Cape Breton in the seventies. He played junior hockey with the Northside Vics and thrived in intense competitions. In 2017, he was inducted into the Northside Sports Hall of fame with the Sydney Mines Colts, the 1979 Maritime intermediate hockey champions. Gordie played his last game at the age of 58, in the Vince Ryan Tournament (family division). One of his fondest hockey memories was stepping onto the ice to play with son Kyle, and son in law, Sean. Not only was Gordie a talented goaltender, he was also a true sportsman. He instilled in his children what he firmly believed not only in sports, but all aspects of his life: it is not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game.
Gordie was predeceased by his parents, Margaret and Clifford Taylor, mother and father-in-law, Frances and Steven MacNeil and extended family Ronnie and Brendan Mac Neil. Near and dear to Gordon was his relationships with his siblings and extended family. Left to miss him dearly are his mom’s sidekick (his aunt Sadie), brother David (Arlene), Little Harbour, NS; and sisters Darlene (Gordon Carter), Georges River; and Anne (Scott Mosher), Halifax; and extended family Danny (Carol), Illinois USA; Brian (Rita), the late Brendon (June), Valeria (John), David (Sandra), Paula (Phil), Flora (Freddy), Melodie (Bob). He will also be deeply missed by many, many, nieces and nephews.
Even in retirement, he didn’t stray too far from water and thoroughly enjoyed cruising to many far-off places. But nothing gave Gordie more joy than spending time at Taylorville, on MacKinnon’s Harbour with his family and friends. The past 7 years have been especially joyful as Gordon watched his 3 grandchildren (his ultimate pride and joy) Taylor, Declan, and Ethan make wonderful memories. We hold all our memories of boat parades, bon fires, and beach adventures very close to our hearts, particularly the memories we made this past summer.
We are especially grateful to Drs. Elizabeth MacCormick, Ryan Kelly, and Peter Poulos, very special nurses Ms. Holly Winn, Mr. Brett Gillis, and the Cape Breton Palliative Care team for their compassionate care throughout Gordon’s illness.
Arrangements have been entrusted to J.M. Jobes Funeral Home in Sydney Mines. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held at the Holy Family Church in Sydney Mines on Tuesday, October 29, 2019, at 10am, with Fr. Jim Oliver officiating. A committal service will be held in Iona, the date to be announced later.
In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask for donations of children’s hockey equipment to the Northside Minor Hockey Association in his memory, to give all children in the community the opportunity to play the sport that Gordon so dearly loved. Words of comfort may be forwarded to his family at www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Gordie Taylor 2019..
Death notice for the town of: Sydney-Mines, Province: Nova Scotia