Gordon Floyd Goranko

Gordy was born in December 1946, at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, BC, the first and only son of Ralph George Goranko and Christine Goranko (née Jijian). He grew up on 16th Avenue in Burnaby and attended Second Street Elementary and Edmonds and Burnaby Central Secondary schools. Growing up, he and his sister Doreen would travel to Saskatchewan with their mother where he would spend most of each summer playing and working on the family farms. This eventually inspired a city boy to move with his bride, Linda, out to the farm in Langley in 1973. He lived on his farm until the day he went to the hospital, just the way he liked.

After completing his Apprenticeship at Webb and Gifford, Gordy worked as a Machinist at Fraser Mills in Port Coquitlam for almost 30 years. When the BC forest industry saw significant structural changes in the early 2000s, he went to work for Britco Pork and then Hydraulic Technologies in Langley. He also deck-handed on the FV Moonlight Lady, an adventure he recounted with great enthusiasm.

Gordy especially loved fishing and hunting, having experienced these activities with his father when he was growing up. For many years he was a member of the Executive Committee for the Langley Rod and Gun Club, serving as Treasurer and President. He also coached his daughter’s softball team for a time in the early nineties.

Gordy’s appreciation of cars was clear throughout his life. As a young man, he drove a GTO Judge and a Camaro. In the late 1960s he became involved in the BC Custom Car Association and spent many days out at Mission Raceway, and in later years, he indulged his love of classic cars as a member of the Pacific Model A Club.

Over the years, Gordy enjoyed trips on the west coast from Mexico to Alaska and Hawaii, as well as to Idaho, Montana, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, PEI, and Europe. A great deal of family time was also spent in Birch Bay, WA, where he and Linda were members of Birch Bay Leisure Park since 1989. He also enjoyed many trips to the islands of BC for visiting family and friends and sport fishing, as well as to BC’s interior for fall hunting trips.

As a longtime family friend so nicely said, Gordy “had a soft spot for young ones, old ones, and animals.” He was great with young children, especially his grandchildren, and with the elderly. His dad’s mother lived to 100: a point of pride for him and a feat he attributed to longevity genes and regular garlic consumption.

Remaining to cherish Gordon’s memory are his wife, Linda; children, Nicole (Peter) de Greef, Kristy (Trevor) Anderson, and James Goranko; grandchildren, Skyler and Daniel de Greef; sister, Doreen (Bill) Cable; many cousins, in-laws, nieces and nephews, and friends, and his loyal German Shepherd, Bella.

Preceding Gordon in death are his parents, Ralph and Christine, along with many, long-missed family members, and friends.

A Memorial for Gordy will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Henderson’s located at 20786 Fraser Hwy in Langley. A reception will follow the service. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Gordy's life. He loved a good story so please bring yours.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Langley Community Health and Hospital Foundation.

https://www.lchhfoundation.com/donate