Gordon Walter Carmichael
Born In: North Sydney
Born: August 7th, 1925
Passed in: North Sydney
Passed on: April 18th, 2016
It is with broken hearts, that the family of Gordon Walter Carmichael announce his peaceful passing at the age of 90, on Monday, April 18, 2016 at the Northside General Hospital.
One of the four boys of the late J. George and Grace (Jackson) Carmichael, Gordon was born in North Sydney on Aug. 7, 1925 and was raised above the family store, Jackson’s Market. In his younger days he delivered groceries by cart and pony to the store’s customers. Later in the family tradition he operated, with his brother George, the grocery store which became one of the IGA chain. In 1955, following a short courtship, he married Doris (McCandlish), a marriage that lasted 60 years. Together they raised six children.
Each summer, Gordon would bundle the family into the car and with the travel trailer he built hitched to the back, would hit the road exploring this great land of ours, often with Doris’ father along for the ride.
When the grocery store closed in 1962, he became a civil servant working for Canada Manpower Center. Included in his duties were weekly trips to Baddeck and bi-weekly trips to Ingonish to set up satellite offices, often with a daughter or two in tow for company. Later he became the manager of the Job Creation branch in Sydney. Following retirement he spent many hours helping his children with renovations to their homes. A jack of all trades, his help was invaluable.
Gordon had a love of all things mechanical. Cars were one of his favourite things, which was evident by the many makes and models that he owned over his lifetime. He enjoyed purchasing a car that had been in a collision and restoring it to its former glory. It has been said that “those Carmichael boys love their cars”. When he could no longer do physical work on cars he would research vehicles from his computer chair. He took great joy watching his son Charles restore a 1967 army jeep, evident by the smile on his face when he went for his first ride.
Woodworking was another of his passions. He made many clocks over the years including a grandmother clock for each of his children, often re-purposing the wood from antiques such as pump organs. A number of other special people were also recipients of his clocks. He enjoyed repairing and bringing new sounds from restoring the sounds to mantle clocks, earning him his nick-name “Tick, Tock, the Clock Doc”.
Ever to be up on technology, he embraced the computer world from its early days of punch cards to his recent acquisition of an IPad. Through this technology he was able to watch his grandson’s wedding in real time five years ago and has been able to see and talk to his great-grandchildren over the Internet.
A true family man he could often be seen with one or more of his grandchildren, teaching them life lessons. He loved to get together with his Carmichael and Jackson cousins to discuss family history and genealogy.
In recent years he enjoyed attending the Adult Daycare at Harbourview Hospital, three days a week with his brother George, where he loved getting acquainted with the other attendees and staff and enjoyed all the games and activities.
His greatest passion in life was his love for Christ and the knowledge that he has life eternal in his Heavenly home. He was a longtime member of Calvary Baptist Church, North Sydney, serving many roles, Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, choir member, Sunday School teacher and doing whatever needed to be done. He enjoyed his time as a Gideon passing out New Testaments to students in Grade 5, preaching in various churches on the island and spending time with his fellow Gideons.
Gordon is survived by his wife Doris, his six children, daughters, Nancy, Donna (Brian), Vera (Brent), Judy, Ruth Ann (Howard) and son, Charles (Tanya); his 13 grandchildren, Becky, Gordie, Elizabeth, Joshua, Caleb, Shawn, Erica, Lindsay, Christopher, Brendon, Jayden, Adam and Gabriel; five great-grandchildren, Lily, Athena, Sydney, John and Brook. He is also survived by his brother, George; sisters-in-law, Mildred Carmichael and Audrey (Arthur) Frogley and many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, Vernon and James (Blanche); son-in-law, Douglas Hyde; sisters-in-law, Ruth Carmichael and Marion (Stanley) Lake and his father and mother-in-law, Charles and Vera McCandlish.
The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Paul Hickey and Lori, the staff of Harbourview Adult Day Care, the Heart Function Clinic and the staff of EHS for the wonderful care that Gordon received over the years. Your kindness has been truly appreciated.
A funeral service for Gordon will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. John Hannem officiating. A time to meet with the family over refreshments will follow in Carmichael Hall.
Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney.
Memorial donations may be made to Calvary Baptist Church.
Online condolences may be sent to www.wjdooley.com.
