Gordon Eugene Whitney
December 20, 1925 - September 18, 2023

Gordon came into the world on December 20, 1925 in Lillooet, B.C; his community was hard-hit by the Great Depression and his family relocated to New Westminster in 1939. The first one to attend university in his family, Gordon graduated from the UBC Engineering Faculty shortly after World War II. He took a job as a geologist, but when he met his sweetheart, Joanne, at a CCF Youth meeting, she persuaded him to switch careers, and the two of them attended Normal School in Vancouver. During this time, the couple spent evenings and weekends in the home of Joanne's Grandparents, Ada and Alf Doughty, who became Gordon's role models and mentors, of whom Gordon spoke fondly for the rest of his life. When Gordon and Joanne married in 1955, he built a beautiful home on Price Crescent in Burnaby where he and Joanne raised their four children; neighbours loved to pass by and view his marvellous giant purple wisteria.

Gordon had a fulfilling career as a Math teacher at Gladstone Secondary School in Vancouver and was much beloved by his students and colleagues, who affectionally nick-named him "Eli". While at Gladstone, he sponsored a student-run poetry magazine called "the Juggler" and assisted his colleague, Keith Simpson with musical theatre productions. Gordon was a life-long social activist; he became a founding member of the Burnaby NDP, and he was one of the organizers and leaders of the first ever BC teachers' strike in 1972. He spoke proudly of this achievement which helped secure a proper pension plan for BC's teachers. His retirement in 1984 freed Gordon to pursue his many interests and passions, including studying drawing and painting at Langara College, mastering the Classical Guitar and Ukulele, learning five foreign languages, helping raise his grandchildren, travelling abroad with Joanne, and publishing a weight-lifting manual for retired teachers. In 2003, he and Joanne sold their home and moved to their Gemini II condo, where Gordon helped start the Strata Council; he could be seen in the lobby most days, socializing with friends and staff. In the last chapter of his life, Gordon moved to his daughter's home in Qualicum Beach and published his book, "Boyhood Memories of a Cariboo Town". Next, he published "A Life of Poetry," which was inspired by his former students from Gladstone.

Gordon is predeceased by his son, Robbie, and his wife, Joanne. He is survived by his daughters Kathy and Laurel, his son Don, and his grandchildren, Jareth, Susana, Jonathan, Liam and Celina. His nephew Leslie and nieces Donna Gail and Ardelle were very dear to him; also his son-in-law Napo who took him on many fishing excursions to Lillooet. Gordon died peacefully at home after a steady stream of visits with family members and friends.

Memorial services will be held in Burnaby on May 31, 2024 and in Lillooet on June 2. Please leave your name and contact information if you wish to be notified about these events.