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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
ARNOLD, James Gordon (Gordy) - Passed away peacefully in the Ottawa Civic Hospital in Ottawa, ON on Monday, October 1, 2018 at the age of 95 after a long battle with Alzheimer's. Gordon was predeceased by his parents Sidney and Charlotte Arnold, his sister Adora May, his brother Sidney and by his in-laws Briand. Gordon is survived by the love of his life, his devoted and guardian angel wife Margaret Arnold who spent every day and night with him in hospital, a faithful bond to the end after nearly 60 years of marriage. Gordon is survived by his older brother Kenneth Arnold, a fellow "son of Scotland" who shared an unbreakable friendship with his brother. Beloved father of Sidney Arnold, Elizabeth Bezzina (Alex), Kimberley Thompson (Brent), Cindy Melville (Alex) and 5 grandchildren (Lauren, Cara, Isaac, Trevor and Jacob). Born September 23, 1923, Gordon grew up in the city of Ottawa, surviving the Great Depression and polio with his father, mother, brother and sister. Gordon answered the call to duty in the fall of 1939 along with so many of his childhood chums, joining the Royal Canadian Navy at the age of 16. Dad was a combat veteran of the Battle of the Atlantic during WWII, visited many foreign shores and escaped injury to return home to his mother, brother and sister in 1945. Further adventures awaited Gordon after WWII, and he eventually joined the Canadian Hydrographic Service at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Halifax, NS in 1948. As Ship Logistics Officer, Gordon served aboard HMS Baffin and HMS Hudson for close to a decade on numerous surveying expeditions to the high Arctic. Most importantly, Gordon married Margaret in 1958 and returned to Ottawa thereafter with Margaret and children in 1967, joining the Geological Survey of Canada as a Finance Officer. Gordon had an exemplary career of government service and retired in 1993. In retirement Gordon enjoyed the comfort of family and friends, cooking family meals, his garden and shed, smoking his pipe and talking to neighbours and passersby while sitting on his favourite bench with Margaret by his side. He will be remembered quite fondly by all that knew, met and loved him and missed by all. Special thanks to Dr. Miriam Nicholson for her care and concern, the Emergency staff at the Ottawa Civic Hospital and the nursing and palliative care staff of the 5th floor, D Wing at the Ottawa Civic Hospital who went above and beyond the call of duty for 13 days of care and comfort to Gordon. Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation at Pinecrest Remembrance Chapel, 2500 Baseline Rd. Ottawa on Friday, October 5 from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. A second visitation will take place on Saturday, October 6 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life in the Chapel at 1:30 p.m. with a reception to follow. For those wishing, a memorial donation to the Canadian Alzheimer Society would be welcomed. (Ottawa Citizen 03 Oct 2018)
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