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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
COUTTS, Gordon (Gidd) - We regret to announce the passing of Gordon Coutts on May 13, 2018. Gordon was the last surviving member of his immediate family and in his passing, he rejoins his beloved wife Violet who passed away in 2004, as well as his mother Hilda, dad Albert, sisters, Thelma and Elsie, brothers, Jack, Norman, Bill and Joe. Gordon leaves to remember his life his children, Linda, Dan (Doreen), Gord Jr. (Bonnie), John (Dianne), Glenda (Derek) and Kathy, and his 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Born in Winnipeg, Gordon grew up in the Norwood/St. Boniface area and at the age of 17 he joined the Royal Canadian Navy serving on the HMCS LAUZON until the end of the Second World War. After the war he worked briefly at Canada Packers and in 1947 started at CN Rail where he worked as a Switchman until his retirement in 1984. Gordon was an honest, adventurous, fiercely independent, self-taught man who overcame many obstacles in his life guided by his hunger to learn through reading and practice. Through this self-taught knowledge, he was able to build his own Telescope from scratch, which included grinding the eight in mirror by hand, and used it to educate the family on Astronomy. He also designed and built a beautiful four-bedroom cottage at Grindstone Provincial Park which was enjoyed by the entire family for many years. In his retirement he enjoyed travelling with Vi and golfing with his lifelong buddy, and cousin, Reg Coutts and their many friends at Windsor Golf Course. In keeping with Gord's wishes a private interment will be held. Gord's family would like to express sincere thanks to the staff at Riverside Lions Estates for their friendship and care during his last seven years there. (Winnipeg Free Press 19 May 2018)
Ships served in: HMCS CHIPPAWA - Enlisted 16 Aug 1943. Commenced Active Service 20 Dec 1943 HMCS CORNWALLIS - Drafted to CORNWALLIS 14 Feb 1944 as an OS, RCNVR HMCS SANS PEUR - Served in SANS PEUR 15 Apr 1944 - 20 Apr 1944 for seamanship training while drafted to HMCS CORNWALLIS HMCS STADACONA - Drafted to STADACONA 24 Jun 1944 as an OS, RCNVR HMCS SHELBURNE - Drafted to SHELBURNE 30 Jun 1944 as an OS, RCNVR HMCS PEREGRINE - Drafted to PEREGRINE 07 Dec 1944 as an OS, RCNVR * Rated AB 20 Dec 1944 HMCS AVALON - Drafted to AVALON 23 Dec 1944 as an AB, RCNVR HMCS LAUZON - Drafted to LAUZON 16 Jan 1945 as an AB, RCNVR HMCS AVALON - Drafted to AVALON 24 Jun 1945 as an AB, RCNVR HMCS CORNWALLIS - Drafted to CORNWALLIS 27 Jun 1945 as an AB, RCNVR HMCS NADEN - Drafted to NADEN 14 Sep 1945 as an AB, RCNVR HMCS UGANDA - Drafted to UGANDA 14 Nov 1945 as an AB, RCNVR HMCS NADEN - Drafted to NADEN 20 Dec 1945 as an AB, RCNVR HMCS CHIPPAWA - Drafted to CHIPPAWA 22 Dec 1945 as an AB, RCNVR * Demobilized 11 Jan 1946
(GC01) Page 2 of Gordon's Certificate of Service (GC02) Form for volunteering for the Pacific Theatre of War
(GC03) New Entry Training Photo HMCS CHIPPAWA Taken between 20 Dec 1943 and 13 Feb 1944
Gordon Coutts - front row 2nd from left
This photos is also posted on the page for HMCS CHIPPAWA
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