Gordon Belshaw passed into the presence of his Lord on November 6, 2024. He was born in London England on September 26, 1922 to Jane Gordon and Frederick John Belshaw. Gordon served in the Home Guard and the British Army, until demobilized in 1947. Gordon served in Italy, a country which he loved and which led to a lifelong interest in speaking Italian to friends whenever he could. As a result of his war experiences, Gordon relished telling stories of the “great British invention” Bailey Bridges which enabled troops and vehicles to cross rivers and waterways.
After the war, Gordon returned to Glasgow University and graduated as an Electrical Engineer. While in Glasgow, Gordon met Cynthia Eileen Callaghan in Sauchiehall Street. They fell in love, married in 1948, and were together for 54 years. Gordon and Cynthia emigrated from Scotland to Montreal in 1957 with their young children. In Quebec, Gordon worked for electrical engineering companies including Brown Boveri, and Hydro Quebec When the family moved to Toronto in 1969, Gordon worked for Ontario Hydro and Westinghouse Canada, focussing on transformer sales until his retirement in 1985. He was passionate about the benefits of hydroelectric power. In their retirement, Gordon and Cynthia travelled the globe, continuing to share stories of their adventures.
Gordon met Audrey Chambers after a serendipitous meeting on a bus tour in France. They continued to travel the globe. In later years they moved to a townhouse in Barrie and reluctantly into The Waterford Retirement Residence when Gordon was in his 90’s. Gordon and Audrey were married for 15 years before she died in 2022. They delighted in each other’s company.
While Gordon’s professional career had a scientific focus, he diverse interests and had a definite artistic side. He was an accomplished violinist as a youth, winning various medals. Gordon played an active role in the Scouting movement. As a youth, he was a Queen Scout. He played a leadership role in Cub packs while in Montreal. He embraced several new hobbies over the years, including of stained glass, jewelry making and needlework. He was an avid gardener and delighted in sharing his secrets for a weed free lawn. He sang in several choirs, including St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church (Don Mills) and The Ontario Presbyterian Chorus. In his 90’s, he travelled to Oxford for a choral singing workshop and was proud to be asked to bring in various choral parts. In recent months he longed to returned to Oxford to relive that special experience. Gordon had an inquiring mind and was a lifelong learner. He loved and supported his family. He was always there “behind and beside” them.
Gordon was fiercely independent. In the last few months of his life, he accepted his increasing physical limitations with grace. Gordon was a social person, delighting in the company of residents and staff at The Waterford Retirement Residence. The family are very thankful for the teams of caregivers and friends that looked after Gordon so well at the Waterford, as well as caregivers from A Caring Heart, ComForCare, and Ontario Health at Home, whose support was invaluable to his health and well-being.
Gordon is survived by his children, Colin Belshaw (Ann Davis), and Dilys Haughton (Lee), his grandchildren Geoff Belshaw (Kersti), William Haughton, Andrew Haughton (Alanna), and his great grandchildren, Braeden, Connor, Keegan and Katelyn Belshaw, Emily and Nicholas Haughton.
Cremation has taken place.
At Legacy Funeral Home 55 Cedar Pointe Drive, Barrie Ontario (entrance and parking on HWY 400 side of the building) on Saturday, November 23 there will be:
A time to visit with the family and others who knew Gordon from 3:30 – 4:30 pm.
A funeral service from 4:30 – 5:20 pm.
A reception at 5:30 with light food and beverages.
In Gordon's memory, please feel free to make a donation to the charity of your choice.