Obituary of Gordon Hodges McConnell
The Honourable Justice (retired)
Passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at Lisaard House. Gord loved his family, the law, sports, dogs, cats (Tout), scotch, curling, gliding, Scottish Country Dancing, travelling and Sigma Chi (not necessarily in that order).
He was born in Toronto on June 12, 1929 and recently enjoyed his 90th birthday party with family. He graduated from Mount Allison and Dalhousie Universities and was called to the bar in 1954. Gord and Fran married in 1955 and Gord moved his family from Halifax to Kitchener-Waterloo in 1962 to join Mutual Life as assistant counsel, then moved to BF Goodrich as corporate counsel. He took the bench in 1969 and was appointed senior judge for the region in 1982. He was the first Ontario judge to support restorative justice, a model which has been adopted worldwide. Gord had many, many, many interests. He was a lifetime member of the Boy Scouts of Canada, founding member of the Kitchener-Conestoga Rotary Club and of the Kitchener Probus Club. He was a past president of the Business & Professional Men's Club, charter member and director of Ducks Unlimited Cambridge, 20 year volunteer with Meals on Wheels, Community Justice Initiatives board member, devoted fan of everything curling (especially at the KW Granite Club), Significant Sig award recipient 2001, and an avid but not very successful labrador retriever field trialer. Through his many activities, he made so many wonderful friends and long-term connections in our community.
Gord is survived by his wife and best friend in all of his adventures, Fran, his daughters Leslie (Glen), Anne, Janet (Michael), daughter-in-law Patti, seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren who loved to visit him for Saturday morning coffee. He was recently predeceased by his daughter Sara (Patti).
Many thanks to the wonderful staff at St. Mary's Hospital and Lisaard House for the kind and compassionate care Gord received at the end of his life.
Cremation has taken place and a private family service will be held. Gord would wish you to raise a glass in his memory. If you would like to make a memorial contribution, the family would appreciate donations to Lisaard House or KidsAbility which may be arranged through the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo, 519-745-8445 or www.erbgood.com
