Obituary of Gordon Daniel McDonald

June 5, 1937 – Glace Bay, Nova Scotia

January 24, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Gord passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, surrounded by his family, after a long life well lived.

Gord was born on June 5, 1937, in Glace Bay, NS. As a teenager, he moved with his father Leo to Hespeler, ON to forge a better life for their family, joined later by his mother Isabel and three siblings.

Gord married the charming young Marilyn Foreman in 1957. Daughter Karen was not far behind, and Denise and Mark rounded out the family about a decade later. The young family lived in Galt, Dundas, Hamilton, Burlington, and Pickering along the way.

A smart and ambitious young man, when Gord heard about a new-fangled thing called “computer programming”, he decided to give it a go, leading to a lifelong career in information technology. When he wasn’t working hard to get ahead, not many things gave Gord greater pleasure than coaching amateur sports (hockey, soccer and softball) and helping young people to flourish.

In 1988, Gord got a job offer he couldn't refuse and moved to Calgary with Marilyn. Later, he co-founded the EyeLogic company, which he ran for several years. As newly minted Westerners, Gord and Marilyn took up many new hobbies, including skiing, golfing, and standardbred horse racing and breeding, a hobby he loved. In his later years, Gord was at his very happiest mucking about the horse farm.

Gord and Marilyn travelled extensively in their lifetime together — accompanying son Mark on hockey tournaments as far flung as Finland and Russia; visiting diplomat daughter Karen in Colombia, Belgium, Brazil, and Trinidad & Tobago; and making regular winter escapes to Mexico, the Caribbean, Florida (for Blue Jays spring training), and several times to Arizona with daughter Denise.

Gord was a bit of a loner, but once you were his friend, you could be assured of his unstinting loyalty and generosity, and although not one to proclaim his emotions, he had one of the biggest bear hugs imaginable.

Gord will be sorely missed by Marilyn, his wife and soulmate of over 67 years, daughters Karen and Denise and sons-in-law Bruce and Micky, son Mark and daughter-in-law Melanie, and grandchildren Lucas and Isabelle.

Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McInnis & Holloway (Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB) on Saturday, January 27, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Gord’s name to the Salvation Army, Dying with Dignity, or the charity of your choice. 

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Gord’s family here.

In living memory of Gordon McDonald, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.