Gordon H. 'Gordie' Clarke

March 20, 1929 - July 21, 2021
We are sad to announce that Gordon H Clarke (often called "Gordie") died in Campbell River Hospital on July 21, 2021. Gordon was born March 20, 1929 in the historic paper-mill town of Ocean Falls, and spent his formative years there.
As a young adult, Gordon moved to Vancouver, where he eventually met Estelle Christieson. They were married in September 1950. Gordon worked as a construction worker and welder. In 1956, Gordon and Estelle and their two young children moved to another paper-mill town, Campbell River, where Gordon had been hired at the Elk Falls mill.
In the 1960's, two more children were born. Gordon was very loyal to his family and his work. He was kind and generous. He excelled at engineering and designing all kinds of projects, and at working steadily to complete them. He also loved telling stories, especially while sitting around the campfire or out fishing.
Gordon's hobbies included 10-pin bowling, moose hunting, carpentry, and gardening. As an elected trustee of the Willow Point Waterworks District, he was proud of the water district's role in creating the 27-hectare park Willow Creek Nature Trust. As a member of the Campbell River Shrine Club, he was a long-time driver in their program of providing transportation to Victoria for cancer patients.
Gordon was predeceased by his wife Estelle; his parents John and Amelia (Burr) Clarke; his sister Isabelle Bailey (Art); his brother Jack (Edna); and his niece Terry Baird (Graham).
He is fondly remembered by his four children Robert Clarke (Susan), Catherine Galloway (Jim), Brenda Schmidt (Rick), and Beverly Clarke (Mick); by his eight grandchildren Lupine Billingsley, Aralia Billingsley, Oliver Galloway (Ashley), Katie Mathew (Neal), Ben Schmidt (Kiersten), Andy Galloway (Lindsay), Steven Schmidt, and Rose McQuirter; by his ten great-grandchildren Marcus Billingsley, Kentaro Anson, Marlon Anson, Tessa Galloway, Austin Galloway, Isaac Galloway, Charlotte Galloway, Violet Galloway, André Mathew, and Francine Schmidt; by his sister-in-law Gabrielle Weber (Hans); by nineteen nieces and nephews; and by other relatives and friends.
Great thanks to all of Gordon's caregivers, including Dr Willem Prinsloo, Dr Louis DeBruin, Dr Melissa Dry, the staff of Unit 3D at C. R. Hospital, and the staff of 2nd Floor Quadra (Discovery Harbour Care Centre).
A celebration of lives event for Gordon and Estelle will be held on Saturday, October 2, 2021, 1 pm to 3 pm, at the Masonic Hall, 2905 Island Highway, Campbell River. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Nature Trust of British Columbia.