It is with saddened hearts that we announce the passing of Donald Alvin Gordon at the age of 72 on September 9, 2022 at Meadowview Villa in Petrolia. Don was predeceased by his mother, Maxine (Jack) Widner, his father, Donald Gordon, a brother, Rodney, and a great-nephew, Chase Manz. Loving father of Dawn Heather (Brian) of Manitoba and Keith of Alberta and grandfather of Alissa, Kyle, Lily, Aimee, Cecily and Ruby; brother of Cheryl (George) Karatsoreos, Larry Gordon and Bill Gordon; special uncle to Lianne Manz, Dan Karatsoreos, Cheri McLam, Jace and Taylor Gordon, Cassandra, Curtis and Randall Gordon and great-uncle to Sierra, McKenna, Brady, Bryce, Brooklyn, Payton, Olivia, Alayna, Noah and Ridge; many aunts, uncles and cousins from the Free and Bright families; remembered by Lori Maidman, the mother of his children. Don touched the lives of many in a positive and inspirational way, including the children, family and friends of Barb Ducharme with whom he shared many years. He had a big heart and gave his love and hugs generously.
Don was a well-known business owner and had a wealth of knowledge, insight and vision and utilized these in his businesses and broad ventures which took him and others many places accomplishing, sometimes, the impossible. Don embraced the adventure and challenges of life and had many accomplishments, some of which included: the salvaging of the 37 meter fishing vessel “Nadine” that sank in 1990 in the deep waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and the salvaging of a tugboat in the St. Lawrence River, which he bought from the bottom for a dollar and named the “Menasha” and which he refurbished and operated, as her Captain, for many years. Don was also a commercial diver and was instrumental together with his crew in cleaning up the “blob” in the St. Clair River. Don with his son, Keith, and others worked together to move a new 10-bedroom cottage built on land at the end of Exmouth Street onto his barge (using soap made by his daughter-in-law) and then left the “slip” on the Menasha with the cottage in tow to Russell Island where they had to move and place the cottage back on land at its new home. This sail down the river was viewed by several and was all over the news, even on CNN. There were so many ventures and the stories are abundant and amazing and are still talked about.
Don brought laughter and peace to others even while going through his own struggles and challenges. Rest in Peace and God Bless.
Cremation has taken place. There will be no funeral service but a Celebration of Life will be held later. Sympathy may be expressed through donations to Diabetes Canada, Heart & Stroke Foundation, Kidney Foundation or to the charity of choice (cheques only at the funeral home please).
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Donald Gordon February 4th 1950 September 9th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Sarnia, Province: Ontario