As we sat on the deck under the grape arbour with friends on Tuesday July 18th, we shared much laughter, outrageous stories (?lies?) and slurped cups of tea. How wonderful for Gord that, up until his last several hours, his had been a perfect day.

His wife of 49 years, Lorna, his daughter Katie Vander Velde along with her husband John and their children Landon and Max will feel his loss deeply.

Gord's youngest brother Bruce with wife Lorraine and their children and grandchildren; his sister-in-law Doreen Parkinson her children and grandchildren; sister-in-law Dru Mclean and her family will all miss their Gordie. Gord is now somewhere with his brother, Captain Andrew Parkinson, cracking jokes and laughing about times gone by.

There are so many friends whose loving hearts have touched ours. Our thanks for enriching our lives with love and laughter.

"If life could be measured by how much you are loved, you would have lived forever".

A private celebration of his life and our love for him will be held at a later date.

To honour his character and love, donations can be made to the Wounded Warriors of Canada or the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children at www.LockhartFuneralHome.com.