Gordon Douglas John Gurke passed away on Saturday, September 26, 2020 at the Assiniboine Centre in Brandon. Born September 6, 1947 in Portage la Prairie, Gord attended school in Kinosota, Manitoba until his family moved to Portage. He graduated high school in Portage then moved to Ottawa to complete training as a radio operator. This training led to his life-long career with Transport Canada / Nav Canada as a radio operator, flight service station specialist and manager of the flight station specialists. His career took him to many places including Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Rankin Inlet, Baker Lake, Lynn Lake, Dauphin, Churchill and Brandon where he worked for over 20 years and retired in 2003. In 1972, Gord married Sylvia Zaharychuk and they raised 2 daughters: Jennifer and Julie. Gord enjoyed playing ball, curling, hockey and bowling, but his favourite sport, by far, was golf and his biggest achievement on the course was a hole-in-one on his home course, Glen Lea! A proud supporter of the Brandon Wheat Kings, Gord and Sylvia were season ticket holders for many years. Gord also loved cheering on the Winnipeg Jets and Winnipeg Blue Bombers and rarely missed a game. His love of sports led him to volunteer his time at the curling events and the Memorial Cup that Brandon hosted. Above all else, he was his family's biggest fan: coaching his girls when they played ball and being in the audience when they had band or Ukrainian dance performances. Everyone who knew Gord, knows how social and fun loving he was. He was a loving husband, a caring father and a kind friend who could put a smile on anyone's face. Gord will be lovingly remembered by his wife Sylvia, daughters Jennifer (Ed) and Julie (Dallas), brother Garry (Lois) and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Norma and Edward and brother Greg. Due to COVID-19, a small funeral service was held on Saturday, October 3, 2020 at Glen Lea Golf Course with Minister Ann Crossland officiating. Niece Dana Gurke gave his eulogy and Julie Gurke was urn bearer; the family considers all Gord's friends and family honorary bearers. Donations in memory of Gord may be made to Palliative Manitoba, 2109 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3J 0L3, palliativemanitoba.ca.