Gordon William was born March 31, 1951, in Chesley to William David and Elsie Edith Clara (Pegelo) Miskie. Gordon grew up on the 14^th Concession and attended S.S. #12 (Thaler’s) just down the road from their mixed farm. When Gordon was young, his father was diagnosed with MS and as a result, intended to sell the farm. Gordon always had the dream of taking over the farm, so he convinced his parents to keep the farm. Instead of attending high school, Gordon stayed home and his father taught him the tricks of the trade on the farm. While he was a child, his mother would take him to the Keady Market to get birds.

While Patricia Elizabeth Wilkins was in grade 10 a certain young man (Gordon, of course) called her and that was that. It was on Arbour Day that they were first introduced in public school, but it took Gordon a few years to build up the courage. They began dating in 1972. Pat went on to train as a RPN at Parry Sound and the next year, on May 17, 1975, at Paisley United Church she married Gordon. That same year,  Gordon and Pat took over his parent’s farm. They farmed the 200 acres with cattle, pigs and chickens but eventually focused their efforts on the dairy heard. They also sold cream and in their prime milked 45 cows. The skimmed milk went to the calves, but they also had a few pigs and chickens.

The first Christmas for Gordon and Pat as newlyweds was special, as they decided they were ready to start trying for a family. Nine months later, in September of 1976, Richard was born. Ron followed in May of 1978, Tina in June 1980, and the family was made complete with the arrival of Teresa in August 1982. Gordon, Pat, and the kids were very dedicated to the farm, however they still made time every Sunday to attend St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, where Gordon sat on the council. At Gordon and Pat’s 10th wedding anniversary, while the kids were 2,4,6 and 8, the Miskie family took a weekend away from the farm and went to Niagara Falls. It was a busy weekend, especially for Gordon and Pat, but they enjoyed their time together as a family.

Gordon and Pat sold their quota in 1987 and from then on had a cow/calf operation with a maximum of 53 animals. They did this until 2015. From then on they had stockers that were grass and feed fed and had this until 2017.

Besides family, farming was the most important thing in Gordon’s life. Gordon loved being outdoors and the fresh air. Attending farm or auction sales, Keady Market in particular, was another enjoyable pastime for Gordon. Doing yard work and cutting down trees in his bush lot was also pleasurable work for Gordon. He collected Miskie antiques such as his grandfather’s hand saw and his father’s cross-cut saw and wooden chaff fork. Gordon also collected many antique bottles, lamps, record players, telephones, and farming equipment. In his younger years, Gordon enjoyed snowmobiling, and rabbit hunting, but it really was just rabbit hunting with the snowmobile!

Gordon’s favourite colour was red and thus it should not come as a surprise that his favourite season was Fall because of the beautiful colour of the leaves. He loved eating beef, pecan pie, and taking his coffee black. Watching crime scene shows on TV or a good movie helped to pass the winter hours away. Gordon also enjoyed reading mysteries, and Stephen King was a favourite author. Listening to Country Western music was also a favourite.

Words that best described Gordon were honest, loyal, strong, dependable, and forgiving. He was a homebody. The most influential people in his life were his parents, his grandfather Miskie (Gustave), In addition, Gordon’s relationship with their hired hand, George Szucs. George, who had fled Hungary, was like an older brother to Gordon and always stayed in touch with him. Gordon’s proudest achievement was his farming career and his family.

Gordon passed away at South Bruce Grey Health Centre, Chesley, on Friday, August 30, 2024, in his 74th year.

Beloved husband of Pat (Wilkins). Loving father of Richard (Karalyn) of Chapin, South Carolina, Ron (Teresa) of Marwayne, A.B., Tina (Jeremy) Hamel of Elmwood, and Teresa (Tanner) Tibbo of Chesley. Cherished grandfather of Evelyn, William, Vanessa, Alisha, Emma, Cole, Peyton, and Adisun. Survived by his sister-in-law Darlene Wilkins and brother-in-law Don Wilkins, and he will be missed by the Wilkins families. Gordon was predeceased by his parents William and Elsie (Pegelo) Miskie, the brother he chose for himself George Szucs, his parents-in-law Harry and Grace (Cooke) Wilkins, his brothers-in-law Ron (Barb) Wilkins and Dave Wilkins.

Visitation will be held at Rhody Family Funeral Home, Chesley, on Thursday, September 5, 2024, from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 p.m., where a funeral service will be held on Friday, September 6, 2024, at 11 a.m. Interment in Chesley Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the MS Canada or Saugeen Hospice Inc. would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.