Obituary of Gordon Edward Widger
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gordon Edward Widger on November 9, 2021 at the age of 80 years. Gord was born in Maryfield, Saskatchewan on September 18, 1941 to parents Leonard and Elizabeth (Allan). He spent his early years on the farm and began his lifelong passion for curling and baseball. He started his career with the Government of Saskatchewan Department of Highways right out of high school and continued for the next 34 years. His job took him across Saskatchewan, most notably to Elfros where he frequented the lunch counter at the local gas station for pie and to see the pretty young waitress who served it. He married that waitress in 1966, and together Gord and Mary set up their home in Prince Albert. There, Gord became active in the Prince Albert Golf and Curling Club. He played in the Men’s League, and later the Super League from the time the rink opened in 1968 through to 2008. He served on the club’s Board of Directors and was President in 1992/93. He was also on the Saskatchewan Curling Association (SCA) Board of Directors for many years, particularly enjoying his time overseeing the youth development programs and becoming President in 2002. He became a lifetime member of the Golf and Curling Club in 2008, was inducted into Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame in 2009, and became a SCA Legend of Curling in the builder and curler categories in 2017. The highlight of his curling career was playing in the Canadian Senior Men’s National Championship in 1994 in New Brunswick. The team recorded 9 wins and 2 losses in the round robin, and Gord was named as the All-Star Third during the week of play. Gord was also an active slow pitch player – spending many years as a member of the Danby’s and later JT’s teams. After retirement in 1994, he turned his focus to golf. He would try to get out on Cooke as often as he could, both to enjoy the game and to have a drink with his golf buddies after the round. He loved to try out other golf courses around Saskatchewan and beyond, and he even managed a couple “hole in ones”. Gord was a lifelong fan and supporter of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. It was not often that you would see him without a Riders shirt, jacket, or ball cap. He made many trips to Regina to watch football and was thrilled to be able to attend a game at the new stadium with his entire family. More recently, he enjoyed the simple things like sitting on his deck and watching the beautiful sunrise over the river, the activity at the airport, and the visiting wildlife. He took immense pride in his children and grandchildren. He loved to watch them in any of their activities, to hear how they were doing at work or school, and he loved nothing more than a call or a visit from any one of them.
He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of 55 years, Mary; children, Kim (Mike Rankin), Ryan (Melissa), and Kelly (Jeff Greenwood); grandchildren, Rebecca and Ryan Rankin, Rylee and Tate Widger, and Caitlyn, Elayna, and Cohen Greenwood; sister Kay Thompson and brother Allan (Darlene); brother-in-law Richard Jenkins and sisters-in-law Natalie Jenkins and Carol Jenkins; and many nieces and nephews.
Gord was predeceased by his parents, Leonard and Elizabeth Widger; his brother John; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jack and Eileen Jenkins; and brothers-in-law Hugh Jenkins and Alvin Thompson.
A Celebration of Gord’s Life will be held on Friday, November 19, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at St. David’s Anglican Church, 500 24th Street E, Prince Albert. Masks must be worn in the church. Live streaming and a recording of the service will be available at www.aspenfilms.ca/gordon .
Reception to follow the service at the Prince Albert Golf and Curling Club, 900 22nd Street East, Prince Albert. Please note that proof of double vaccination or a negative COVID test within 72 hours, along with identification will be required at the reception only.
In lieu of other tributes, donations in memory of Gord may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society. Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home, Tracy-Lynn Lenchuk, Funeral Director, Prince Albert, SK (306) 763-3322.
