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The Association of Ontario Land Surveyors is sad to notify you of the death of Gordon Henry Wood OLS# 856 Gordon Henry Wood passed peacefully in his suite at Amica Newmarket after a long and challenging struggle with several health issues on December 11, 2021. He will be sadly missed by his wife of 68 years, Ruth Mary and his three adult children Cathy (Warren), Elizabeth, and David (Gwen); his four grandchildren Erin (Andrew), David (Maggie), Katlyn (Bradley) and Jonathan (Aimee) and his three great grandchildren Olivia, Henry and Cameron. He is predeceased by his parents Henry and Bessie, sister Elaine (David), his in-laws Perry and Edna, son-in-law Andrew and great-granddaughter Alexandra. Gordon was the eldest child of Henry and Bessie Wood, born in North Toronto. He and his younger sister Elaine had a very special bond. Gordon enjoyed growing up in North Toronto and was a serious student. He particularly enjoyed sports and played hockey and football. He attended Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute (LPCI) and formed lifelong friendships with a group of fellows who later, with their wives were referred to as “The Gang”. Gordon was industrious even from a young age and worked hard, including the summers of delivering bread on his bicycle on Toronto Island. Gordon attended University of Toronto, Ajax Campus for Engineering. He was too young to participate in World War 2 but gained insights into the War from attending University with many returning Veterans. Shortly after University, he met his soon to be wife Ruth Mary who attended Teachers College with his sister Elaine. Ruth Mary and Gordon were married in 1953 in Keswick, Ontario. Gordon started his life-long career with Ontario Hydro as an Engineer in 1951, using his time off to complete his Ontario Land Surveyors degree. Cathy was their first born in 1955 in their small apartment at Shepherd and Yonge before they transferred to Williamsburg shortly after Cathy’s birth. Sadly, Gordon’s mother Bessie passed away at a very young age and was only able to meet one of her grandchildren. During their time in Williamsburg, their second daughter Elizabeth was born. Williamsburg was a long way from family and many trips back to central Ontario allowed for family time. Gordon was transferred from Williamsburg to Belleville in 1957 where their son David was born. The family lived in Belleville for 4 years before moving to Barrie in 1961 where they lived for 5 years. The Wood family was happy to relocate to Barrie with the close proximity to family in Toronto and Keswick. During their time in Barrie, they enjoyed many family gatherings at Ruth Mary’s parents in Keswick and Gordon’s family in Toronto, as well as family visits with relatives in Sunderland. While continuing to work for Ontario Hydro, Gordon was a Land Surveyor requiring him to travel and be away from family much of the week. After many years of this lifestyle, he took an office position in Toronto Head Office that allowed him to be home with family. In 1967, the Wood family moved to Toronto into their home on Yonge Blvd. where they lived for over 50 years. Gordon was very much a family man which is why he gave up his love for the outdoors for a desk job to be home more with Ruth Mary and his children. He was very involved in his children's lives and they had many wonderful family vacations camping, travelling, staying in motels and visiting around Ontario and across Canada. Gordon supported his children in their many activities and could be found out in the cold, flooding an ice rink, driving to hockey, swimming or a friend’s house. Gordon promoted post-secondary education and was very pleased with his children's educational pursuits. He was very proud that each of them was able to achieve a post-secondary education and to develop successful careers. Gordon was also very pleased when his children found their partners that were supportive and family oriented. He readily welcomed each one into the family. After 35 years, Gordon retired in 1986 from Ontario Hydro, now Hydro One and began a well-deserved life of leisure. Ruth Mary and Gordon joined the Toronto Cricket and Curling club where Gordon became very involved in Curling. Gordon was very competitive and very successful as a curler then became involved in bridge. In summer, he loved golf and travel, visits with family and friends and time at the cottage. Many winters found the Woods in Victoria BC to enjoy the milder climate and allow for visits with Elizabeth and her family in Squamish. Both were very involved at Fairlawn United Church and participated actively on numerous committees and as long term members of the congregation. Gordon and Ruth Mary thoroughly enjoyed their roles as Grandparents to Erin, David, Katlyn and Jonathan and spent much of their travel/vacation time being a part of their lives visiting Dryden and Squamish and welcoming their visits to Toronto. They were thrilled to also become Great grandparents and treasured their visits with Olivia, Henry and Cameron. In 2019 Gordon and Ruth Mary made the hard decision to sell their family home and moved to Canterbury Retirement Residence in North Toronto. With increased health needs, they moved to Amica in Newmarket and were closer to their daughter Cathy. Ruth Mary continues to reside at Amica. Despite health challenges, Gordon remained a true gentleman with a strong will to live. He was a wonderful son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend and will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada in Gordon’s memory, by clicking on the “Donation” tab above. A Private Interment for immediate family will be held at Queensville Cemetery on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. A Celebration of Gordon’s Life will be held at a later date when we can gather together. While the family wishes you could all be with them in their time of loss, they appreciate your kind words and condolences. Please take a moment to share a message or condolence by clicking on the Guestbook
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If you have information on a fellow AOLS member who has recently passed away please let us know by sending us an email to [email protected]. Archives
February 2024
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