GORDON "GORDIE" THOMAS BEN McNABB Obituary

GORDON "GORDIE" THOMAS BEN McNABB attended Sisler High School in Winnipeg, MB. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Gordon "gordie" Thomas Ben Mcnabb.

Graduation Year	Class of 1971
Date of Passing	Aug 30, 2023
About	We are sad to announce the passing of Gordon (Gordie) Thomas Ben McNabb. He died at age 70 on August 30, 2023, on the evening of the Blue Moon. His wife Joanne and his grandson Odin were at his bedside holding his hands while he passed peacefully at home. Gordie was a natural musician. Born to sing and play. He started playing drums at a young age then later learned how to play guitar, to sing and to front. In the 80's Gordie started writing songs and wrote a total of 12 during his lifetime. One of Gordie's favorite gigs was performing with fellow musicians on a Northern Manitoba tour as Buddy Knox's band. Gordie lived and breathed music. He was in the original "Deputy" band, Gordie played in the "The Good, the Bad and The Ugly" and many other Winnipeg bands throughout the years. Gordie's own Band Thunderdrums would play here and there between writing songs and work and then during the last few years of his life, Gordie had named his very last band "Lightning Horse" (his Spirit name) and actually played his last paid gig as recent as late May 2023. Gordie created a "planning/volunteer" Facebook page "Jigtown Jammers" 10 years ago in the hopes of reviving a Jigtown Jamboree in Jigtown (Gilbert Park). The Jigtown Jamboree event had taken place twice while he was growing up in Jigtown (his family was one of the first five families to live there). After realizing the overwhelming red tape involved, he set the page aside then over the past year and a half, with the help of his wife Joanne, the page became active and evolved as a music page which Gordie enjoyed administrating together with her. Gordie and Joanne were first married on May 1, 2004, then renewed their vows 5 years later in Indigenous ceremony. They celebrated the 20th year of being a couple the day before he passed. Gordie went back to school at Urban Circle to become an Educational Assistant at the age of 62 and worked in that vocation until 3 years ago. He inspired those who knew him by proving you are never too old to go back to school and to learn something new! Gordie was in the army for over a year before receiving an honourable discharge for being colour blind. Gordie was a part of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders infantry regiment, the same as his dad. One of Gordie's proudest moments is when he stood guard for the Queen during one of her visits in Winnipeg. Gordie's father "Mac" was a prisoner of war for three years and presumed dead as a result of the battle in Dieppe. Gordie felt quite honoured to be asked to present at the Remembrance Day ceremony at Niji Mahkwa School for a number of years. Gordie lived in Winnipeg all his life. He enjoyed playing sports, with hockey and baseball being his favorites. He played baseball until his mid fifties. Gordie loved his family. He would call and visit his siblings often throughout the years. He was reconnecting with his son Dylan these last few years and that brought him a lot of joy. He wrote a song for his daughter Kelly who came to visit with Dylan this past summer and that meant the world to him. Although he didn't get to know his grandchildren as well as he wanted, he kept them close in his heart. Gordie stepped in without hesitation when Joanne's son Dylan passed and together, they helped raise Dylan's son Odin. Odin and Gordie were best buds. Gordie was and will forever be Odin's GG. Gordie is survived by his wife Joanne, his son Dylan, daughter Kelly, sister Donna Rae (Grant), brothers Gerry (Norma), Jack and James, grandchildren Odin, Matteo, Serafina and Kiera and many nieces and nephews. Gordie was predeceased by his mother Frances, father Malcolm Wallace McNabb, sister Bev (Moose) and brother Robert (Doreen). Gordie's Celebration of Life will take place on Thursday, September 14, 2023, at the West Kildonan Branch 30, Royal Canadian Legion at 1748 Main Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. I would like to thank Dr. Harlos and the staff at CancerCare and Palliative Care for all their gentle care of Gordie, Anna Maria, our wonderful neighbours, all the Action Therapy staff, our fantastic family and our wonderful friends. Special thank you to Gordie's friends who came to visit Gordie to play music with him then later for him and helped to uplift his last days. Gordie felt truly blessed. See you again my handsome, loving and wonderful Forever Husband. Play your music and share your beautiful voice on that big stage in the Heavens Gordie. Save me a seat at the table Babe. "They that love beyond the world cannot be separated by it. Death cannot kill what never dies." "Life has to end. Love doesn't." To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gordie McNabb please visit our Tribute Store.