Gordon Sheasby - 1957-2020

Born in Vancouver on April 13th, 1957, Henry Gordon Sheasby (Gord) passed to his heavenly home on July 29th, 2020 in Sus, New Brunswick. In a lifetime filled with accomplishment and adventure, Gord experienced and achieved so much. Gord’s career began as a Lieutenant in the Canadian Military after his graduation from the Royal Military College in 1979. He then served as an Officer with Lord Strathcona’s Horse and, upon leaving the military several years later, he set out on an adventure that began at a Gold Mine in South Africa and covered that continent, also leading him to the Middle East, Europe and much of the rest of the world before his return to Canada. Gord then studied Forestry at the University of Toronto, during which time he wrote an especially important paper inventorying the many mature trees on the site of the former Mimico Insane Asylum. This helped pre-empt the destruction of those trees and the preservation of the historic buildings that now house Humber College.

Upon moving to New Brunswick, Gord and his family settled in just outside Sus where he began his second career in Mining and ended his working life as a Paramedic in the far north and then back in New Brunswick. For many years, he was a proud member of the Mine Rescue Team and won a number of individual and team provincial championships. He was also a very skilled member of the Volunteer Fire Department and an instructor in First Aid and CPR with St. John Ambulance. When asked just a few days before his death what he was most proud of doing in his life, he said “helping people”.

Gord was also so incredibly proud of his much-loved and very accomplished children who all followed him on the military path. In addition to his daughter Alex (Alexi), his grandsons Theodore and Louis, his sons Bruce (Maddison) and Ira (Myriame), Gord is survived by his mother, Dorothea, his brother Bruce (Deidra), sisters Patricia (Neil) and Charlotte, his nieces, nephews, cousins and aunts and uncles and his beloved rescue dog Bower. He was predeceased by his father Edward Gordon. Gord was very grateful to have been welcomed into the community of Midland Baptist Church and to have formed such wonderful friendships there – especially with Pastor Alden Crain and his very dear friends Doug and Sandy Hall and all their family.  Gord’s neighbour and close friend, Arthur Ferguson (Art) was a joyful, daily presence in his life. Gord and all the family are so appreciative to his caregiver, Nancy, all the Extra-Mural nurses, especially Rachel, Virginia and Rose who helped him to remain in his home, the paramedics who assisted him on several occasions, his doctor, Stephanie Ward, and the many staff who cared for him at various times at Saint John and Sus Regional Hospitals, his care worker, Jolene and all at Sus Mental Health.

Despite his diagnosis, Gord faced his cancer with courage and grace and his ever-present sense of humour – always mindful of others and full of gratitude for a full life filled with love. Arrangements have been entrusted to Sherwood’s Funeral Home and Life Tribute Centre (506-839-2156), 18 Scovil Road, Norton, NB. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, private services will be held.

Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Gordon Sheasby