Born August 15,1922 at Quill Lake, Saskatchewan. Died at Victoria, BC January 31, 2011, aged 88 years. The family of Gordon Cunningham is saddened to announce the death of their much loved patriarch. He died peacefully, his wife and family with him, as his valiant heart finally ceased its beat. Gordon was the last member of his family of four brothers and four sisters. He is deeply mourned by the true love of his life, Joyce, his wife for sixty-eight wonderful years; his three sons, Gordon, Richard and James, and their wives; eleven grandchildren and their spouses and partners; eleven great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins. In all, thirty-seven people called him Dad or Poppy.
Gordon had a distinguished career with the Post Office, rising, by virtue of his own initiative and ability, from its lowest to its very highest ranks . During his career he was Post Master of the Arctic in the early 1950s, Director of Public Relations in the 1960s, Executive in charge of the introduction of mechanization and the postal code in the 1970s, District Director of Ontario and post-retirement, as a consultant to the U.N. His work took him and his family from Saskatoon to Ottawa, Saint John, Toronto and in retirement, he and Joyce lived on the beautiful sandy beaches of Georgian Bay, before finally settling in Victoria.
Joyce and Gordon had a glorious and happy life, with many adventures as they travelled the world together. Their chief joy was watching and nurturing their growing family. The times when all were together, especially the years on Georgian Bay, which became the family focal point as their sons raised their own families and the grandchildren began to arrive, are fixed in the hearts of all.
The many friends of Gordon and Joyce are invited to the Funeral Service commemorating Gordon’s life, to be held at Christ Church Cathedral, at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 4th. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Fairfield New Horizons Seniors Centre or the charity of your choice. He was a gentleman. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallbros.com.
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Kent Lewis
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Tom & Eileen Citra Dear Joyce,
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. We remember fondly the times with you and Gordon at the Chemainus Theatre.
Tom and Eileen Citra
Geri Blake’s parents.
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Roy( Jamie) Conacher We are shocked and saddened at Uncle Gordon’s passing. What a wonderful man and a supreme role model for all members of his family, friends and acquaintances.
We will remember him with fondness and love in our hearts forever and we shall pray for Aunt Joyce.
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Tom & Eileen Citra Dear Joyce,
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. We did not know Gordon well but we found the short time we were together at the Chemainus Theatre very pleasant and very enjoyable with lots of laughs.Tom & Eileen Citra ( Geri Blake’s parents )
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leonard clarke Dear Joyce,
Please accept my sincerest sympathy on Gordon’s death.
I remember when we first met over twenty years ago
before you moved here permanently and you both volunteered at
‘The 9-10 Club, Serving Soup to the Hungry’ on your winter stays in
Victoria.
In more recent years I have seen you both on a regular basis at the Crystal Pool where Gordon is truly missed.
Sincerely,
Leonard Clarke
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Mike & Monica Wyman Gordon & Cunningham Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your Mother at this very difficult time. We wish you comfort & peace in the memories of the long and wonderful life shared with your Dad. Keep these memories close to your heart. God Bless.
Love,
Monica & Mike
Cristian, Noah, Sarah
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Todd Cunningham & Julianne Kingelin When I think of Poppy a flood of special moments come to mind: Poppy teaching me how to make clucking sounds to encourage a chipmunk to eat out of my hand; watching in amazement as he performed magic tricks at birthday parties; and listening to the adventures he had lived. I remember as a child how proud I was that he was MY Poppy. Someone who taught me things no one else would, who had done such amazing things, and who made
me feel as special as I knew he was. I adored him.I remember the surprised face he would make when realizing he had been fooled yet again by an already eaten soft-boiled egg as he cracked into the empty shell. I remember how much he loved and put great care into preparing meals. I remember watching from a distance as Poppy and Granny walked hand-in-hand down a pier, and thinking how lucky they were, and how happy I was that they had each other, and that I had them. I remember countless times playing Rummy Cube around the dinner table, and how fun Poppy made it.
Some of my fondest memories are of him reading the stories he had written, whether they were about his experiences working in the Arctic, or about his adventures with Granny from their travels around the world. Poppy was a great writer and story-teller, and every time I visited I made sure to ask him to read one of his stories to me. I loved that when Poppy read to me I got to share in some of the rich experiences in his life. I felt close to him by learning about him. I felt loved by the special attention he gave to me while he read. And I felt deeply proud of what he had done with his life. I will always love you Poppy.
Love Todd
I first really met Granny and Poppy 5 years ago at the wedding rehearsal for Todd and I. Granny and Poppy had flown to Toronto to attend, and after all the stories I had heard I was extremely excited to see them.
Poppy, along with Granny, made me feel instantly, and in a way I had never before, like I was a part of the family. I can’t tell you how much it meant to me that you welcomed me with such warmth and love, like I had always belonged amongst you. What a gift it was to have you become in that instant not just Todd’s grandfather, but my Poppy as well. Thank you for making me feel so special by showing as much interest and excitement in getting to know me as I felt while getting to know you. I have felt such pleasure and joy in being around you, having fun together, learning from you, and watching you celebrate life. I love you, and will always carry you with me in my heart.
Love Julianne
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Bob McInnes I have greatly enjoyed our casual conversations at the Crystal Pool. It was a privilege to get to know Gordon.I found that there were many similarities in our life journeys. He’ll be sorely missed by several of us. My deepest condolence to Joyce and the family.
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Victoria Fabricius How do you describe a person who trained a chipmunk to eat out of your hand, who if you weren’t careful pulled a quarter out of your ear, who taught you to play battleship on piece of graph paper, who on your 10th birthday sent you a letter entirely in Morse Code, who told you stories, who held your hand, who, if you sit for moment you can clearly hear calling “under the B number 2,” who loved you and was proud of you just because you were you.
It’s easy for me because that was Poppy. What is hard now is saying good-bye.Love,
Victoria
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david rodney cunningham I am so very sad to hear of the passing of my Uncle Gordon. I have often thought of Uncle Gordon as a role model for he was so genuine,honest, and sincere human being. Truly a gentleman and most important, my Uncle. Both Laureen and I offer our sincere condolences to the family.
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Wendy Boissevain Uncle Gordon, you are my favourite Uncle. I loved to listen to your stories of travel; you had so many intriguing, entertaining tales to tell. You always had some wonderful spice for me to take home to cook with from your travels.
You were Maggie’s brother, and after we lost my Grandma, you became even more precious to me; I could see her through you.
You were such a gentleman and I will miss you.
My thoughts and prayers are with you Auntie Joyce, and your family.
Love, Wendy
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Zoe Cunningham In The Deep of Winter
A storm will be in full force by 6 o’clock
we are waiting
I remember my Grandfather’s floral shirts he wore that matched his
bathing suit and his beach shoes.So tall and sunny, tanned and freckled
skin, red copper hair that never came
a shade close to grey.My Grandmother gets up in the morning and
is busy smiling, dancing, playing, helping
my Grandfather and they will hold each others hands
throughout the day, always the same way, everyday.More so in the deep of winter.
In broad strokes and general terms
I portray the significance and import of
my Grandfather’s life on this planet.
How he impacted my life I shared emphatically:“I’ve been to Surinam,”
“My Grandfather is a MAGICIAN,”
“My Grandfather had triple bi-pass surgery,”
“My Grandfather can feed chipmunks out of his hand.”
In this way, I’ve always repeated myself while delivering the final say.In the deepest part of winter Poppy passes.
Cross country skiing and silent snow,
searching for a place in the bright sunrays,
for a time to understand and be sheltered in his light and warmth.February 1, 2011
Zoe Cunningham
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Jim and Mary Cunningham Poppy, we love you and we miss you so much already. We wish that we could be there with you to say goodbye, but really there is no need to say goodbye, is there? You will always be a part of us, showing us the right way by your life and example, your loving spirit encouraging us to be strong and true, your memory in our hearts.
Rest in peace.
Jim and Mary and family
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Mark Conacher We are profoundly saddened at the loss of Uncle Gordon.
He was a fixture in my life and those of my brother and sister from our earliest years. From visits to Ottawa in the ’50’s, to a magical summer spent in semi-rural Rothsay in the 60’s, to “roving dinners” in the 70’s, to the cottage in the 80’s and 90’s, to visits with he and Aunt Joyce in Victoria, he was this constant, gentle presence.
His delight in all things, the joy he exhibited when enchanting children with his magic, his political and social analysis in discussions over one of his gourmet meals, his was a stimulating presence.
Perhaps above all, the love he exhibited for family, the tenderness and caring towards our Mother and his sister-in-law Fran, solidified the affectionate place he will always have in our hearts and the memory of him will warm our thoughts forever.
On behalf of Chris and myself, we send our love and our condolences to Aunt Joyce and to Uncle Gordon’s legion of children, grandchildren and great-grands.
Mark Conacher
Toronto
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Carl & Jane Boyd Carl and I are very sorry to learn of the passing of your dad,Poppy and dear friend. Gordon and Joyce were always a pleasure to meet and spend time with. They were the ultimate “tiny,perfect” couple. Their last visit to NB,in the summer, was special to them,I am sure. They spent time with Gordon,Sharon and their great-grandboys, as well as Maggie and Gordon. NB had been home to them and they enjoyed the sun and water on the Belleisle. Your family has so many memories of the times spent with Gordon and I know that in days to come these thoughts will give you comfort and maybe even a laugh.
Our love and prayers are with all of you, sincerely, Carl and Jane
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Elizabeth Cunningham Jims My Dear Poppy, such a gentle but strong presence throughout our lives. Always a kind and reassuring word to say, a gentle hug, a funny trick, a twinkle in your eye, a loving smile with an easy laugh. So many wonderful memories to be cherished. I feel so special to have had such a loving and giving grandfather. An example to live by and look up to; Measured, fair and balanced in words and deeds, a man who knew his mind and what is right in the world.
I love you dearly, Poppy, you will be forever loved and missed.
Elizabeth
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Emily, Matthew, Robert and Claire Hamilton Poppy, you will be missed but you will live on in our memories and actions as we all attempt to live, love one another, and encourage each other to do our best, following in the wonderful example shown daily by you and Granny.
With all my love,
Emily and family.
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Molina-Cunningham Family, Sarah, Ricky, Madeleine and Ana lucia You are a beacon in my life and an example to strive to live up to. I will forever remember sharing happy evenings of games and stories. You mean the world to me and are forever in my heart. I love you.
Goodbye, Poppy.
I remember Uncle Gordon making milk appear from my brother Darryl’s knee after pouring it in his ear when we were young children! How could this be? He was an amazing magician and an outstanding chef. Not to mention, what a gentle, kind and loving human being…..Greatly missed and celebrated,
Your great-nephew,
Kent Lewis