Jan 22, 1942 - May 2, 2018
With both sorrow and rejoicing, we are announcing the departure of Gordon Edward Howe. On May 2, 2018 Gordie was freed from this world after a long battle with cancer.
Gordie was born on January 22nd, 1942, in Montreal, Quebec. He was predeceased by his son Darren, mother and father Olive and Harry, and brothers Harry and Johnny.
He is survived by his wife Kelly (Baraniuk), his son Jeffery (Samantha White, children Taylor, Sydney and Liam), his daughter Meredith (nee Baraniuk, Andy Peterson, children Payton, Bethany, Bianca, Parker and Timothy), his son Clayton Baraniuk (Jason Dubois) and all the critters at the Howe Sweet Farm (Fireball, BaBa, Sailor, Blackie, Spook and the barn cats).
Gordie served briefly in the Navy and traveled around the Mediterranean, before settling in as a Butcher in the late 1960's, and a long-haul truck driver out of Burnaby in the 70's. For much of his career he was in sales, for Canada Packers, Campbell River Restaurant Supplies and The Butchers Block, and ran successful poultry fundraising drives for dozens of schools and charities around the north island.
Gordie loved cars and driving. He loved camera and photography. Above all, he loved people. Gordie was known to strike up conversation anytime he met someone, anywhere. He rebuilt an 1962 MGA convertible and drove it from coast to coast of Canada, visiting friends and relatives along the way. He loved to travel, and also drove Route 66. His most recent trip was a lifelong goal of visiting Haida Gwaii, where he snapped some incredible photos of the wildlife and scenery.
Gordie's love of people was doubly true for his kids and grandkids.
If he wasn't driving one to choir, the other to soccer practice, he was watching from the sidelines or audiences, cheering them on and getting friendly with everyone else that was doing the same. He particularly loved to watch Taylor, Sydney and Liam play soccer, ride horses or play hockey, and hear Payton, Bethany and Bianca play the piano. Gordie was a natural performer himself, as anyone who has met him will know, and he also possessed a lovely singing voice, frequently breaking into song.
He started seeing the "love of his life" Kelly in 1986, and they moved to Courtenay in 1988 where they lived together until his passing, raising children and animals, and growing fruit. Gordie was incredibly good natured, and lived his life full of love and enjoyment. He is greatly missed by his family and friends.
There will be a celebration of life at 2 pm on Sunday, June 24th in the Rotary Hall at the Florence Filberg Centre at 411 Anderton Ave. in Courtenay, BC.
Donations to a charity of choice are encouraged instead of flowers. For more information or to share a story - please email howesweetfarm@gmail.com