GORDON TAYLOR PURCHASE

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GORDON TAYLOR PURCHASE September 19, 1919 - July 7, 2018 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gordon Taylor Purchase, with family by his side, on Saturday, July 7, 2018, at Seven Oaks Hospital. Gordon was born on September 19, 1919 in Winnipeg, to Mary and Joseph Purchase. He grew up and went to school in the city's North End. As a youngster, Gord was fascinated by railway engines. He was once returned home to his parents by the police after walking to the Arlington Bridge to see the railyards all by himself at age four or five. Airplanes also became a favourite after he was lucky enough to be a passenger in a barn-storming open cockpit aircraft at the age of 10. After working briefly as a truck driver for Winnipeg Electric, Gord enlisted in the R.C.A.F. in 1940. Men whose surnames were in the top half of the alphabet (A-M) became pilots and the other half, (N-Z) as wireless airgunners. He trained in Calgary prior to shipping out to the UK in 1941. He proudly served in both the R.C.A.F. and R.A.F. in England, Scotland, squadron stationed in Ceylon. Gord returned to Canada in 1945, where he worked in the lumberyard business in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. He then worked for the CPR as a fireman based in Smith Falls, ON. After returning to Winnipeg, he worked for Furnaceman until his retirement in 1984. Gord met the love of his life, Sophie, in Winnipeg after the Second World War. They were married February 12, 1949. They had no children of their own, but treated their many nieces and nephews as such. They were a loving and inseparable couple until her death in 2012. He is now with her again. His family would like to express their thanks to the staff at Riverwood Square, especially those of Chopin House for the kindness and care they showed him during his four-year residence there. They would also like to thank the staff at Seven Oaks Hospital, 4th floor, Unit 1 for his final care. Cremation has taken place and a celebration of Gord's life will be held on Thursday, July 12, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. in the Reception Room at Glen Lawn Funeral Home, 455 Lagimodiere Blvd. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honour to the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada, Hangar T-2, 958 Ferry Road, Winnipeg, MB R3H 0Y8. Family and friends may sign a Book of Condolence at www.glenlawn.ca Glen Lawn Funeral Home 204-982-7550

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 10, 2018