4 Friday, January 15, 2021 brooklintowncrier.com OBITUARY Passed away peacefully at his home with his family by his side on Monday January 4th, 2021 at the age of 83 after a life well lived, full of strong friendships, long laughs and too many fond memories to count. Cherished husband of June for 61 years. Most loved Dad of Alyson of Brooklin and Ken and his wife Charmaine of Markham. Proud grandfather of Alex (Nicole), Kyle, Logan (Randy), Destiny, Carter, Vanessa and Rachel. Delighted great grandfather of Dawson and Paisley. Uncle to Clifford Collins and his wife Minileah and their children Brent and Brayden of Beaverton. Predeceased by his brothers Harry and Kenneth. Gord was born in 1937 in Glasgow, Scotland. When he was 12 years old he quit school after contracting rheumatic fever. Bed ridden for a year he started his first business selling comic books that were sent to him by his Auntie Bella in Canada from his bedroom window. After recovery he began work as a Blacksmith apprentice in the Clyde Shipyard. Following his brother Harry he immigrated to Canada in 1954 and was a proud Canadian of Scottish heritage. In 1959 he married the love of his life -the girl next door - June. He started many businesses during his career but his most accomplished that he co-founded are Gorbern Mechanical and Envirosafe which are still family owned. Gord had an adventurous side - he loved having his pilot's licence and doing aerobatics, tried skydiving, zip lining and white water rafting. Gord retired in 2000 and he and June travelled widely by land, sea and air - oh how Gord loved his motor home and cruising with Windstar! Family and friends who knew Gord were fortunate to be loved by such a generous, wise and kind hearted soul. He was truly a unique human being, caring, a master story teller, unparalleled wit and an upbeat spirit right to the end. Gord possessed an infectious laugh and was loved and respected by so many and will be deeply missed. Due to COVID 19 - the family will plan a Celebration of Life to raise a "wee dram" (or two…) once safe gatherings are allowed - hopefully in the summer of 2021. If you wish to do something in Gord's memory consider a donation to a children's charity. "God Bless All Here". Messages of condolence and shared memories can be left for the family by visiting barnesmemorialfuneralhome.com Collins, Gordon Bell