Yesterday we dropped by at lunch to congratulate him on his 84th birthday – he really enjoyed his day and thanked God that he had been able to live that long!! Today, he would have said he had graduated to a better place! We dropped by to see his wife, Elsie, and offered our condolences shortly after his passing, and I’ll be involved in his funeral expected later this week.
Gordon Verhaeghe liked to fondly tell of the double date he went on with mom and dad and his girlfriend, Elsie, back before either couple were married. I also understand that he helped dad and some others shingle the church parsonage back in the ’50’s. Gordon and Elsie kept track with mom and dad over the years, and were glad to see us return to Kindersley six years ago to continue the relationship.
Gordon was a rather blustery person with a heart of gold. Even these past few years, with compounding health problems and his memory starting to escape him, he kept me on my toes!! He liked to provoke a response with questions that were always off the wall! But when you got past the rather different way he looked at things, you saw a man who loved others and would do anything for you.
I will miss him!