Obituary of Gordon Gray Currie

MAY 20, 1923 – FEBRUARY 22, 2017 It is with profound sadness but deep gratitude for a life well lived that we announce the passing of Gordon Currie in the palliative care unit of the Pasqua Hospital. In recent years Gordon had suffered with medical issues yet always retained his quick wit and sound inquisitive mind. He was predeceased by his darling wife of 57 years, Shirley; his brother Bob and sister-in-law Evelyn; his brother-in-law Jim Meaney; his nephew Gary Doane; and great-nephew Doug Barber. Gordon is survived by his sons, Bob (Joyce), Doug (Cathy), and Jim (Safia); granddaughter Rosalyn (Tyler) Parsons; great-granddaughter Peyton; his sisters, Pearl Doane and Lucille Meaney; several nieces and nephews, and numerous great nieces and nephews. Gordon was born in Semans SK, and lived in various rural communities as the son of a Pool Elevator Agent. He attended Notre Dame College in the Pere Murray days. He was a Lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Navy in WWII. Gordon obtained his B.Ed at Mount Allision College in New Brunswick. In 1947 he returned to Regina where he was hired at Balfour Tech to teach history and promote sports. This was the start of an illustrious career in coaching and mentoring kids. His successes in coaching were many including the Balfour Redmen (both hockey and football), the Regina Red Sox, and of course the Regina Rams. Gordon was a respected teacher and principal at Balfour and Campbell and was an innovator in the development of the Cochrane High School program. He spent a short term in provincial politics. Of his many awards, most notable included induction to the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame (1978) and the CFL Hall of Fame as a Mentor (2005). He was named as a member of the Order of Canada in 1979. Gordon’s legacy will be encouraging young people to strive to be the best they can be! A Celebration of Gordon’s life will be held at the Conexus Arts Center, 200 Lakeshore Drive, Regina, SK on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. Friends so wishing may make memorial donations in Gordon’s name to the Doug Barber Memorial Fund, c/o the South Saskatchewan Community Foundation, 3934 Gordon Road, Regina, SK S4S 6Y3 or to a charity of their choice.