Date of Birth: February 27, 1948
Date of Death: September 19, 2023
It is with great sorrow we share the passing of our beloved husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather.
Gord was born to Verna and Charles Brown on Feb. 27, 1948 in Regina, SK. He spent his youth in Regina playing road and ice hockey, ball and other games with the Eastview neighbourhood kids. He attended high school at Balfour Tech in Regina and his days revolved around the football, volleyball and basketball seasons.
It was in grade 12 that he started dating his future bride and together they graduated in 1966. Gord was a natural athlete – there really was not any sport he could not pick up. He played defensive end for the Regina Rams Junior Football Club under Coach Gord Currie. He also played volleyball with the University of Regina Cougars while obtaining his Bachelor of Education.
July 12, 1969 Gord married his high school sweetheart, Gail Toth. In the summer of 1971, Gord was invited to be a member of Team Sask to participate in the BC Centennial Canoe Pageant which saw provincial teams row from Fort St. John to Victoria, BC. That fall, Gord and Gail both obtained teaching jobs at Hudson Bay Composite High School in Hudson Bay, SK and welcomed their first two children.
Although he was only there for four years, Gord spoke fondly of that time there – he enjoyed coaching football and other sports, hunting, fishing and most of all, the people.
In 1975, the Brown family relocated to Melville, SK for teaching jobs, and completed their family with two more children. Determining it was a great place to raise a family, they stayed for the next 43 years. Gord taught Phys Ed at Melville Junior High School and later middle years at Parkview Elementary School. His evenings and weekends were filled with coaching most all school and community sports and when not on the bench, was in the stands supporting his own children. He still found time to play hockey for 25 years with the Melville Moneymen and took up golf as an adult and became a long-time member at the Melville Golf and Country Club.
Gord retired from his 30-year teaching career in 2001 and, judging by the messages we have been receiving, impacted many young lives. Over the next several years, Gord celebrated the marriages of his children and the births of his nine beloved grandchildren. His family was his biggest blessing and knowing that he would not be here to celebrate all of his grandchildren’s successes and accomplishments was his greatest sorrow.
Gord served as councillor for the City of Melville from 2003 to 2012. He was instrumental in bringing the new rink, Horizon Credit Union Centre, to fruition and once he saw the project was within completion, did not run again. Retirement then saw the empty nesters become snowbirds to Yuma, AZ and he attempted to take in every basketball, football, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, swim and volleyball game that his grandchildren competed in when in SK. There is no doubt he was his grandchildren’s biggest cheerleader. Gord and Gail then returned to Regina, SK in 2018 until his passing on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023.
Gord was an avid Detroit Red Wings fan, Saskatchewan Roughrider supporter and proud Canadian. He loved his canine companions over the years, Gail’s turkey dinner, a decent Western movie, the Christmas season, and shopping for a good deal or bonus Air Miles. He was fiercely
loyal, incredibly motivating and extremely thoughtful. The only thing he loved more than sports, was his family, in particular his grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his parents, Verna and Charles Brown. Left to mourn Gord is his wife of 54 years, Gail; daughter Raina (Trevor) and grandchildren Mya and Ryder McKinnon of Saskatoon, SK; daughter Sheri (Rob) and grandchildren Logan, Tegan and Nolan Barclay of
Calgary, AB; son Craig (Jody) and grandchildren Lincoln and Birkleigh Brown of Regina, SK; daughter Robin Reade (Mike) and grandchildren Belle Brown-McEwen (Ben) and Cade Treso of Regina, SK; and many former teammates, students, athletes, colleagues and friends.
A funeral service was held at Regina Funeral Home and Cemetery, 4001 East Victoria Avenue, Regina, SK on Monday, Sept. 25, 2023 at 2 p.m. followed by a reception. Those wishing to view a live stream of the service, please log onto https://fweb.tv/108936.
As an athlete, coach, phys ed teacher, and his grandchildren’s number one fan, Dad believed in the power of sport and giving all kids opportunities. Our family is requesting that in lieu of flowers a donation be made to KidSport Saskatchewan in memoriam. Please visit www.kidsportcanada.ca/saskatchewan to make your donation in his name.
Family and friends are invited to leave tributes at: www.reginafuneralhome.ca.
Arrangements entrusted to Regina Funeral Home and Cemetery (306) 789-8850.
