Obituary of Gordon Rolfe

Gordon Percival Rolfe was born to British immigrants William and Ada (Curry) Rolfe on February 21, 1936 at their home in Saskatoon. Being the fourth of ten children in the depression era, his family had many struggles. He grew up in Saskatoon and later in various foster homes. Around the age of twelve he came to live in Assiniboia at the foster home of Violet and William Crebo. He attended school until Grade 9 when he chose to join the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1953 at the suggestion of his foster brother, Jack Crebo. He was stationed in Ontario and trained in aircraft electronics, specializing in radar and gun sights. After seven years in the RCAF he finished his career as an instructor. Upon returning to Assiniboia he was hired as a TV technician at Gravelbourg TV and Refrigeration. Gordon was always eager for a new challenge so he furthered his education in TV repair, refrigeration and snowmobile repair. Gordon eventually purchased the business and expanded it by adding the Radio Shack franchise in 1975. In the early 1980s Gordon branched into satellite TV systems being one of the first in the province to do so. He continued to run his business until 2004 when he retired and closed the store. While working in Gravelbourg he met Myrna Pouteaux, a young nurse who lived in the same building. They had a quick romance and eloped to Assiniboia on May 4, 1965 before making their home in Gravelbourg. They raised four children beginning with Joanne and Doug and later Loretta and Lorelei. Gordon was a proud grandpa to seven special grandchildren and always made time for them. Gordon was fully invested in each of the hobbies he pursued. As a young man he learned to scuba dive with his friend Phillip Delorme and explored the clear lakes of northern Saskatchewan. In the early 1970’s he obtained his pilot licence. He started flying a two seater plane and upgraded to a four seater plane until his family outgrew it. As his family got older Gordon worked hard at developing their recreational property at Gaumond Bay on Thomson Lake as a summer retreat for fishing, boating and relaxing around the campfire. Restoring antique trucks became a passion for Gordon and International trucks from the 1920’s were his favourite. Countless hours were spent searching farm yards for old relics, taking them apart, rebuilding and sometimes reinventing until they were just the way he envisioned. He started driving the trucks in parades and was soon entering car shows and even joined a cross Canada tour. Gordon could also be found reading books about the world wars, playing a competitive game of cards, and watching the history channel at full volume. Gordon was predeceased by his parents William and Ada Rolfe; his siblings Grace, Bill, Chuck, Cathrene, Genevive, Hadley, and Jimmy; his foster parents William and Violet Crebo; his foster siblings Jack, Bill, and Viola; and his father-in-law Arthur Pouteaux. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Myrna; children Joanne (Dale) Petersen, grandchildren Tulsa, Berkley and Chisholm; Doug Rolfe (Coralee Watkins); Loretta (Andrew) Unger, grandchildren Seth and Tate; and Lorelei (Jeffrey) Burnett, grandchildren Kerison and Marin; his mother-in-law Sarah Pouteaux; his brother Andrew (Sharon) Rolfe and sister Carol (Guy) Belisle. Gordon left this world as an inspiration of courage and determination for all of us. The family asks that you make a toast to your health, spend time with your family, tell stories around a campfire, and take a moment to laugh. That is what Gord would have wanted. A Celebration of Life was held at Our Lady of the Assumption Co-Cathedral in Gravelbourg, SK on Wednesday, February 21, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. Officiating the service was Sam Hawkins. Reading Psalm 23 was Berkley Petersen. Eulogy and photo tribute was shared by Joanne Petersen, Doug Rolfe, Loretta Rolfe Unger and Lorelei Burnett. Music by Leanne Mann. Ushers were Richard Mann, Cheryl Hoshowsky, Deldeen Rusk and Joseph Jansen. Pallbearers were Robert Rolfe, Scott Rolfe, Ronald Pouteaux, Clinton Jansen, Wayne McNeill and Grant Armson. Interment at Hillside Cemetery, Gravelbourg, SK. Memorial donations in Gordon's memory were greatly appreciated for the St. Joseph Hospital Foundation and Cancer Patient Lodge, Regina, SK. Online Condolences can be shared at www.pichehawkinsgrondinfuneralchapels.ca