Obituary of Gordon Daniel Kirkpatrick

GORDON DANIEL KIRKPATRICK

September 2, 1922 – July 9, 2017

Gordon passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 9, 2017 at the Coteau Range Manor, Avonlea, SK.  Born near Truax, SK, he volunteered for service in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1943 and graduated as a Flying Officer (Pilot), flying transport planes mainly in Burma with the 435th Chinthe Squadron. After the War he returned to Truax where he began his career as a grain farmer.  On Oct. 17, 1950 he married Mary Cecelia Beingessner at St. Anne’s Roman Catholic Church, Truax, and they farmed the Kirkpatrick family farm until they moved to the Manor in 2012.  Gordon was recently predeceased by his wife Mary in 2016, and his granddaughter Leah Flegel in 2017; and earlier by his parents Roy and Stella (Riebel) Kirkpatrick; his sister Adele (Clarence Linton), brothers Frank and Roy (Ada Conger); and in-laws Irma (Schuett) Kirkpatrick, Eileen (McCabe) Kirkpatrick, Florence Beingessner, Raymond and Eveline (Kohlruss) Beingessner, Ed and Doretta (Lesmann) Beingessner, and Herbert Beingessner. 

Gordon lived a full and rewarding life and is survived by his six children: Toni (Frank Korvemaker) of Regina, Faith (Garth Ward) of Cardross, Judy (Cam Petruic) of Avonlea, Fred (Gloria Kot) of Truax, Elaine (Dan Flegel) of Claybank, and Jeannette (Gary Dixon) of Weyburn; as well as 21 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. Gordon is also survived by his brothers Raymond and Jim Kirkpatrick, his sister Louise (Remo Forer); and in-laws: Albert & Alma (Fuchs) Beingessner, Richard and Cecilia (Gasall)  Beingessner, John and Janice (Gooding) Beingessner, Don and Diane (Dombowsky) Beingessner, Sabine (Beingessner) and Henry Vanderleest, Agnes (Dombowsky) Beingessner, and Anne (Hager) Beingessner; as well as many nieces and nephews and their families. 

Gordon was a devout Roman Catholic, and faithfully supported his Church.  He also contributed in many ways to the Truax community, and served on the Council for the RM of Elmsthorpe # 100.  Gordon thoroughly enjoyed travelling, a passion he acquired during his Wartime years as a transport pilot in Burma, and Europe.  He also had a lifetime interest in stamp collecting and photography.  Not always able to travel extensively, Gordon enjoyed camping and fishing in the West; reading National Geographic Magazine; and watching television shows that took him elsewhere on the planet.

The Funeral Mass will be held on at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Claybank, SK on Monday, July 17, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. Interment at the Truax Cemetery.  The family wishes to thank the staff at Coteau Range Manor for the exceptional care they provided to Gordon and Mary during their stay there.  Therefore, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Manor, with cheques made payable to the Village of Avonlea, P.O. Box 209, Avonlea, SK S0H 0C0.