Fred "Gordon" Hutchinson

Fred Gordon Hutchinson

1918 – 2016

We sadly announce the passing of our uncle Gord, a loving uncle and friend of many.

Gord was born in Portage la Prairie on January 13th, 1918, the third son of William and Annie Hutchinson, immigrants from Yorkshire, England.  Gord was raised at Delta and educated in the one room school house at Delta Beach.  He received his grade 10 at the Portage Collegiate.

He grew up in Delta Beach.  He helped on the family farm, did some fishing on Lake Manitoba and also packed fish at the fish shed.  He also worked at M.D.C in Portage.  He was a teenager during the Great Depression of the 1930’s and learned the value of a job and a penny.  He worked whenever and where ever work was available.

In 1940, Gord enlisted in the RCAF and while awaiting his call up he continued employment at MDC in Portage.  Call up came in early 1941.  On graduation from the RCAF Administration School at RCAF Station in Trenton, he accepted a posting at “Y” Depot, Halifax, Nova Scotia.  Later that year Gord applied for an overseas posting and arrived in the “UK” on December 25th, 1941.  In July 1943 Gord applied for a further overseas posting and arrived in India early October 1943.  There he assisted in opening a RCAF Station in New Delhi in India.  July 1944, Gord contracted Malaria and was sent to the Himalayas to recover. 

In January 1945, he was shipped home via New York with an American ship.  From there, he went to a hospital in Quebec.  He arrived home in late May 1945.  In May of that year, he served at RCAF Station, Winnipeg.  He received his discharge in December 1945.

Gord worked in several places in Portage after the war; a clerk with the RCMP, bookkeeper with Gibb and Elwood, a position with the Children’s Aid Society in Portage and the owner of Darragh’s Shoe Store to name a few.  He was well known in the Portage business community.

In July 1946, Gord married his beloved Laura.  They made their home in Portage la Prairie.  In 1948, Gord and Laura had their home built on 3rd Street S.W. in Portage where Gord continued to live up until three weeks before he passed away.

After many happy years of enjoying their home and yard and travelling, Laura became a victim of Dementia.  At this time, Gord cancelled all other obligations to care for Laura.  Laura passed away in March 1965.  Gord then resumed his passion of volunteering and put in many years doing such with the Alzheimer Society in Portage and surrounding area.  He was a great help and comfort to the many struggling with this disease and to the families and caregivers.

At 94 years, Gord decided to “retire.” On his 97th birthday, he hosted a big party at the Herman Prior Centre to celebrate by having a beautiful roast beef dinner for all his nieces and nephews.  Everyone showed up, he was very pleased with his party.  He even took a few dance steps!

Gord was very proud of his beautiful little home and his beautiful garden in the back.  He loved the Garden Party his church family arranged in his back yard in the summer 2015.

Gord was a life time member of St. Mary’s Anglican Church in Portage.

Funeral service was held February 17th ,2016 at St. Mary’s Anglican Church, officiated by the Reverend John Dolloff.  Pallbearers were friends of his: Alan Marsh, Garry Gascoigne, Ivan Skoropata, John Palmer, Don Reid, and Henry Riendeau.

Honorary Pallbearers were Gord’s nieces and nephews whom he considered his “kids.”

Interment was in Evergreen Memorial Gardens, Portage la Prairie.

A beautiful luncheon was served by the St. Mary’s Church ladies following the interment.

If friends so desire, memorial gifts can be sent to St. Mary’s la Prairie Anglican Church, 36 – 2nd Street S.W., Portage la Prairie or the Alzheimer’s Society, Portage la Prairie.

Special thank you to Dr. Quesada for being Gord’s friend through his life and his final journey. Thank you to the staff on the Medical Ward at the Portage District Hospital for the care and compassion given to Uncle Gord during his stay with them.

Condolences may be sent to the family c/o Omega Funeral Home, 83 Royal Road South, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, R1N 1T8, 1-800-303-4621 or friends may leave a message of sympathy on our web site www.omegafuneralhome.com “Dedicated to those we serve”.

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