Gordon Hartley

Gordon Frank Hartley, age 96, passed away on Monday, May 20, 2019 at the Cypress Regional Hospital with his family by his side. Gordon was born on April 28, 1923 in Swift Current to Harry and Margaret Hartley. Gordon grew up in Swift Current attending Central School and high school at the Swift Current Collegiate Institute. In 1941, he was a rod man working for the PFRA in the initial construction of Duncairn Dam. At the age of 19, Gordon volunteered for the army taking his training in Prince Albert, Kingston, and finally Cove, Britain. He became a signalman working with the Canadian Division in Normandy, Belgium, Holland and Germany. He was very proud of the fact that he received the Cease Fire message for the end of WWII for his units. Upon discharge in 1946, Gordon found out he had tuberculosis in both lungs so spent two years in Fort San near Fort Qu'Appelle for treatment. The "no drug" treatment collapsed one of his lungs that he lived with for the next 72 years. It was there that he met the love of his life, a nurse, Margaret May Buckmaster.  Gordon was discharged from Fort San on March 17, 1948 and on August 24, 1948, they were married. Their marriage was to last 10 days short of 68 years when Margaret passed away on August 14, 2016. They moved to Swift Current where Gordon started to work after 1 ½ years as front desk clerk at the Healy Hotel. Later he became a clerk at Land Titles. On September 1, 1967, Gordon became the Registrar of Land Titles in Swift Current and retired on April 30, 1984. Four children were added to the family- Dawn, Scott, Jim and David. The house now became a HOME. Dad was kept busy as a Boy Scout Leader and was on the Board of Directors with the Credit Union for 12 years. Gordon was a lifetime member of the Royal Canadian Legion and helped out with many activities. He was the last surviving Normandy Veteran in Swift Current. He was able to see his name on the Pillar north of City Hall. Dad was an Elder with St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church.  The congregation was his second family and he enjoyed going to Church and helping wherever he could. He loved the singing and the music. Gordon and Margaret travelled the world visiting 32 countries plus most of Canada and many of the United States. They did everything together. After Dad's third bowel cancer surgery, he decided he could not live by himself at home anymore and moved into Cypress House on January 17, 2018. He loved the residents and staff there. All the ladies were called "love or dear" and the men were called "son".  As Dad looked back on his life, he never regretted anything- "anything 'bad' had always led to a good thing. I have had a great life!" Dad will be forever loved and deeply missed. Gordon was predeceased by his beloved wife, "Margie", his parents, 2 brothers and 2 sisters. He is survived by his four children: his daughter, Dawn (Jim) Rogowski and their children, Chrystal (Steven) Carman and Michael (Erin) Rogowski (Kiana and Emberlynn); his son, Scott (Terry) Hartley and their children, Thomas, Sarah and Emily; his son, Jim (Chrystal) Hartley and their children, Danielle (Dean) Schaitel (Mila and Piper) and Derek Hartley (Peydence, Raeya, Amaya) & Nikki Hartley and his son, David (Jana McDougall) Hartley and his children, Jenna (Tyler) Link and Connor (his child, Lilly) and Jana's children (Verina and Chael); as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Dad loved his family! Donations in Gordon's memory may be made to St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 610- 19th Ave. N.E., Swift Current, Sk. S9H 2Y5. A memorial service was held at 2:00 on June 22, 2019 at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. An Interment Service followed at Mount Pleasant Burial Park Cemetery where Dad and Mom were both placed in the Columbarium. "TOGETHER FOREVER". Warren's Funeral Home were entrusted with the arrangements. For further information call 306-773-8831 or 1-800-267-6606 or visit our website at www.warrensfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy on the family tribute wall.

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