BALFOUR, Robert 'Gordon' Cdr. Ret'd
HMCS Venture - 1954
Gordon was born April 25, 1935 in Dundee, Scotland. His family emigrated to Halifax, NS, then moved to Victoria BC where Gordon attended Oak Bay High School and Victoria College (Camosun College). In 1956, he graduated with the Venture Naval class.
Gordon was a proud member of the Canadian Navy for 30 years, serving on both coasts and in Ottawa and traveling the world. In 1975, Gordon was promoted to Commander and appointed to Command HMCS Terra Nova on Canada's west coast. He then moved to the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College in 1978 in Toronto as a Syndicate Director until he retired in 1981 due to failing health. He was later recalled to service as Director of the Naval Summer Reserve Program in Toronto.
He married Karen (Wilson), a former high school French teacher in 1984, and settled in Whitby in 1993 with their successive dogs: Archie, Susie, and Demi.
Gordon was proud of 'his girls', especially his granddaughters Quinn and Anastasia. He loved to spend time in his garden and walk his beloved dogs, always stopping to chat with neighbours.
He lived bravely for many years with heart disease, defying the odds. He died in his sleep at home on January 19, 2008 and will be missed dearly. Gordon was predeceased by his mother Agnes, father Robert and sister Diane. He leaves his wife Karen, daughters Kim and Gillian, granddaughters Quinn and Ana, his first wife June, and friends old and new to remember 'the good times.'
A Memorial Service in his honor will be held on Saturday, January 26th at All Saints Anglican Church in Whitby, Ontario with a visitation at 1 p.m. and a service following at 2 p.m. A second Memorial Service will be held in Victoria, BC in the summer of 2008.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Arrangements entrusted to OSHAWA FUNERAL HOME, (
Ottawa Reunion
September 2006
50 years after Graduation
from HMCS Venture
