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GORDON CARDINAL
Date of Passing: Aug 17, 2018
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryGORDON CARDINAL Gord passed away on August 17, 2018 at Grace Hospital at the age of 70. Gord's medical condition had been deteriorating over the past few years. Gord grew up in St. Vital and lived with the Lamblin family while he attended Dakota Collegiate, and then on to the University of Manitoba where he attained a Bachelor of Physical Education Degree in 1972. Gord was an accomplished middle distance runner and for many years held the provincial record for the two mile distance. In 1975 Gord and his girlfriend, Diane Polanski, were in a motor vehicle accident and tragically Diane was killed and Gord sustained a severe head injury. Gord's life was shattered and it was with tremendous resilience and determination that Gord survived and went on to engage in a range of volunteer positions with organizations such as the Society for Manitobans with Disabilities, St. Amant Centre, Pan Am Games and Western Canada Summer Games. Gord will be fondly remembered by a myriad of people who have been his main supports over the years: The Polanski Family: Darlene Hoffman, Linda Ramsay (Michael), and Sharon Rossi (Tom) have been very faithful in supporting Gord with regular visits and acknowledgement of every birthday and special holiday celebration. Patty Benoit and her children, Leah (Matt) and Kristy (John) have made Gord part of their family, and have been a big part of Gord's life since the untimely death of Bruce Benoit, their husband/father, who was Gord's best buddy and fellow "adventurer" in life! Gord's foster brothers, Art (Merilee) and John (Elaine) Lamblin have been there for Gord in so many ways from the early days to the final days! Barb and Dale Purvis have provided a very steady presence during these past several years as Gord's ability to maintain his independence was waning. They provided very practical support and have been very important support team members as Gord made the move into a nursing home. Finally, Fred Nelson (Kathie) has been a longtime friend who hung in there with Gord from the early days in the Rehab Centre to his final days being a liaison with the health care system and in some way representing Gord's many friends who were unable to be there. Gord spent the last three years of his life at the Southeast Personal Care Home. We are very appreciative of the excellent and compassionate care Gord received. In closing, Patty Benoit summed it up well when she said: "Gordie tried hard to live life to the fullest. He did everything he could considering his circumstances. Everybody loved him." As per Gord's wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no formal service. If people would like to make a donation in Gord's memory, please consider donating to the following: The Jerry and Gerry Ilchyna Dakota Collegiate Scholarship Fund - go to: chimp.net and enter 'Ilchyna', or the Southeast Personal Care Home, 1265 Lee Boulevard, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2M3. Friends and relatives are encouraged to share in stories and condolences for the family by visiting Gord's memorial page at IntegrityDeathCare.com INTEGRITY Cremation & Funeral Planning 204 295 5408 - IntegrityDeathCare.com
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 25, 2018
Condolences & Memories (7 entries)
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Gordie played a very important part in my life. When my dad, Bruce Benoit, passed when I was 15, Gordie remained a constant. He was completely selfless and always wanted to do whatever he could for me and my family. As I got older, I loved to sit and visit with him over coffee and listen to him talk about his latest adventures or book chapters. It was heartwarming to see his eyes light up whenever he saw my children. He was a very special man, and I miss him to this day. Rest in peace, Gordo. - Posted by: Kristy Fitzgerald (Family Friend) on: Sep 28, 2022
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RIP GC You made all our lives better!! Rusty - Posted by: John Restivo (Classmate in Phys Ed at UM) on: Sep 17, 2018
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I am so thankful to be able to care for Gordon in the last years of his life. His smile and sense of humor are memories I will cherish for the rest of my life. - Posted by: Candice (Friend ) on: Sep 08, 2018
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One of my fondest memories of Gord is from around 50 years ago, before his accident. A bunch of us had planned to play touch football -- presumably to get a bit of exercise. Gord was 5 minutes late, but had an impeccable excuse: he had RUN 3 miles to join us, and was now ready to get some exercise ! A stellar human being, and an inspiration. I only regret not seeing him for ages, always being in a different city. But he'll always be in my thoughts and heart. RIP, Gord. Matthew Kiernan - Posted by: Matthew Kiernan (friend) on: Sep 02, 2018
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I met Gordie many years ago at the Western Canada Summer Games. We volunteered at the Merchandise Sale Outlet for the Games at the Forks & had a blast!! WONDERFUL memories!! What a TRULY funny guy & a TRULY wonderful human being was he! You could not ask for a better friend & confidant than our Gordie! You could talk to him about anything & he always understood. We found out that we shared a common link to St. Amant as well, he volunteered there & my brother was & still is a resident as well. We covered a lot of topics over the years & like most as the years progress, lost contact for awhile..tried to reconnect, but never did...We lost touch as our lives changed & moved on..but no matter what, you just never forgot Gordie. Rest in Peace Dude..you WILL be missed by so many! - Posted by: Carol (Friend) on: Aug 27, 2018
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Gord lived in an apartment on the main floor of my block for years. In the early years he still drove a vehicle which had been fitted out for his disabilities. Then when he was more confined to his home, he spent many hours on the computer doing volunteer work in terms of his physical education background. One winter day, I was attempting to get up the ramp from the underground parking lot and though it is kept sanded, this particular day the sand had worn off and I had to quickly grab my remote and turn it backward to the garage door in order for it to open and my car slide back into the garage. When I think of it now, it was odd that Gordie was in the garage, but he hand pushed his wheelchair over to the sand container and took a small shovelful of sand and asked me to open the door for him. With that he kept repeating the action until there was enough sand on the ramp for me to drive my vehicle up with traction and make it out to the back lane. Think of the arm strength and body action it would take for him to have done such a thing on an incline. Gordie was a good man and a gentleman. Bless him for all he encountered in this life, and yet continued to be that person. - Posted by: Gail Singleton (Apartment Block friend) on: Aug 26, 2018
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“GC”, or just “Geece”. The world is a bit of a lesser place now without him in it. He was a great athlete prior to his disastrous crash, but was, and remained, a great guy in the following decades of his life. I have many fond memories of him in university, where we met. I wish I had seen more of him in recent years, but am grateful for having spent a bit of time in 2016 visiting with him at Southeast. That day two other PE grads (Crook and Fitz) and I shared ice cream with GC, and had many laughs recalling our past days together! Rest In Peace Gordie!! - Posted by: Ian Craigon (Friend and colleague) on: Aug 25, 2018