Cultus Lake – (with files from Dean Roosevelt)
UPDATE – Just a final reminder about saying goodbye to Gord Mitchell…this is from daughter Julie Mitchell:
“Dad requested no service…he didn’t think there would be anyone left that would remember him. The Legion, specifically Branch 4, was so important to Dad, therefore, if anyone is interested in visiting with his daughters, Jane and Julie, we will be at Branch 4 Legion, 9350 Mary St, Chilliwack on Sunday September 1st between 2 and 4 pm.
He served his country.-1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star, Ushakov Medal (Russian Federation), Canadian Voluntary Service Medal, France and Germany Medal, , World War II Victory Medal, Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal.”
Gordon Mitchell. April 28, 1924 – July 25, 2019
War veteran, business man, musician, Cultus Lake Park Commissioner, Municipal Councillor, Chair of the Chilliwack Airport Board, and successful real estate agent.
What Gordon Mitchell didn’t “put his hand to” since he arrived as a young boy in Chilliwack in 1930, and didn’t succeed at, is hard to define. Along the way, he was married over sixty years to the former Betty Nairn, and together they raised two daughters, Jane and Julie.
Dad was a man who inspired others with his incredible work ethic, attention to detail, and a constant desire to excel at all that came his way, whether it be as a pilot, or playing a euphonium in the famous Chilliwack Rube Band. And he loved ‘blowing his horn’, both with the City Band and the Gizeh Shrine Band.
We can only think of one other Saskatchewan orphan who did so many things in over ninety years of productive life-Art Linkletter. Both Art and Dad were so blessed in the people who adopted them; gave them the moral guidance they needed, and enabled both men to mean so much to so many people.
Dad loved his Royal Canadian Navy, to which he applied to and was accepted on July 15, 1941, and reported as Boy Seaman to the HMCS [His Majesties Canadian Ship] Discovery. Following his five years of service in the Canadian Navy during WWII (1941-1945) Dad returned to Chilliwack and started into a civilian life of various business ventures and community service.
There are too many stories and moments to chat about at this time. Dad requested no service…he didn’t think there would be anyone left that would remember him. The Legion, specifically Branch 4, was so important to Dad, therefore, if anyone is interested in visiting with his daughters, Jane and Julie, we will be at Branch 4 Legion, 9350 Mary St, Chilliwack on September 1st between 2 and 4 pm.
