Gordon Philip Bartlett
May 2, 1946 – September 28, 2026
It is with heavy hearts, and with a lifetime of wonderful memories, that we announce the passing of our Dad, Gordon Philip Bartlett, on September 28, 2026, after a brief battle with cancer.
Born in Halifax on May 2, 1946, he was the devoted husband of Carol for 59 years. Together they built a life centered around family, friends, travel, traditions, and always having people around.
He was the proud Dad of Staci, Chris, and Cory (Christine), beloved Poppy to Regan, Adalyne, Oscar and Felix (who shared his birthday), and more recently Great Poppy to Holly and Sloane, two little girls who quickly found a very special place in his heart.
One of Gordon’s greatest accomplishments was his motivation and dedication to his career. Beginning at the YMCA in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and eventually bringing his young family to Ontario, he reflected fondly on those early years. His longest tenure was at Yellow Pages, where he forged cherished friendships that lasted a lifetime. In retirement, he kept himself busy by becoming a school bus driver where he found joy and created a great impact amongst special needs children in the Kitchener-Waterloo region.
Gordon was, above all, an incredibly generous person. He genuinely enjoyed giving to others and never expected anything in return. If someone needed help, he was always the first person to offer it. Whether it was his time, his support, or simply making sure someone was taken care of, generosity came naturally to him.
At the heart of the family is Maritime tradition. The setting was always the beloved summer home Tall Trees, where Gordon enjoyed many summers with Carol and the whole family. He loved hosting many friends over the years, sharing the beauty of Nova Scotia. He took great care manning the barbecue, always feeding friends and family, enjoying relaxing days on the deck and exploring the South Shore.
His spaghetti was legendary. He loved travelling and planning vacations, particularly cruises, and was always ready to convince the rest of us where we should go next. For many years, hockey was also a big part of his life. He spent countless hours coaching, giving his time to young players and various teams. Above all was his love of Christmas, and each year he would create a unique and enormous Christmas village that became a family tradition all its own.
More than anything, Gordon loved his family and loved bringing people together. We will remember his generosity, his humour, his traditions, the trips, and especially the Christmases.
You gave us a lifetime of memories. We will carry them with us always and miss you deeply.
Rest in peace, Dad. We love you.
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