Obituary of Gordon Donald Roddy

Gordon (Gord) Donald Roddy - Peacefully at home, Gord was promoted to heaven on November 10, 2023 at the age of 73.  Gord was the much loved and very loving husband of Julie (for over 42 years) and dearly loved and devoted father of Glenna. He was a dear father-in-law to Henry Wanok. Gord will be remembered as a precious papa of his two young grandsons, Wes and Eli and his granddaughter Beth. Gord was predeceased by his parents, Len (1983) & Win (1985) and his brother James (2020) (Bella) and is survived by his sister Sheila (Allen Schink).

Gord fought a hard battle this past 2-1/2 years but the damage had been done.

Gord was a History and English Teacher with the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board for 32 years before his retirement in 2006 as head of the history department at Orchard Park Secondary School in Stoney Creek.  Much of his career was spent at OP. Gord coached many sports over the years but his real passion was in coaching cross country running and track and field.  Gord won the teacher of the year award from HWDSB in 2004. 

Gord was an alderman in Grimsby for six years and was involved in many charitable organizations including The Grimsby Benevolent Fund (with Mike Barretto), Grimsby Affordable Housing Partnership (GAHP) and Village of Hope in Jordan and International Needs Canada in support of International Needs Uganda. He travelled to Uganda 5 times between 2011 and 2020, getting back just as Covid was forcing lockdowns all over the world. Gord was also an active member (before his illness) of his church, Forestview Community Church in Grimsby, having served as a long-time deacon and a past member of the governance team and missions team.

Gord loved to garden and found it therapeutic to be in his gardens weeding and caring for his plants. The disease made it difficult for him to garden but he tried his best from his scooter using a ‘reacher’ to deadhead plants. He also enjoyed watching the birds in our yard.

Gord will be fondly remembered by many extended family members and friends. 

A celebration of Gord’s life will be held on Saturday, December 2,2023 at 1:30 pm at Forestview Community Church, 132 Lake St in Grimsby. Light refreshments will follow.

In lieu of flowers, we would appreciate donations to International Needs Canada in support of International Needs Uganda.