Gordon Edward Parker

Gordon Edward Parker was born on March 12, 1958 as the second child to Josephine and Milton Parker. Raised in Harris, Gord attended and graduated from Harris Tessier School in 1976. One yearbook caption for Gord was “Spock - Is everybody having a good time?”. This turned out be a question that Gord would ask many times during his life.

After graduation, he sought his fortune in the oil and gas industry in Alberta. It was during a long motorcycle accident recovery that Gord returned to Harris and he changed his focus to bartending and the hospitality industry. He got his start as a bartender at Hollow Mug at Travel Lodge in Saskatoon. After several years as an exceptional employee, Gord became manager of the bar. Gord prioritized forming strong relations with his customers and got to know just about everybody that walked through the doors for a drink. His focus on hospitality and customer service involved sponsoring golf tournaments, hockey teams, ball teams making sure that everybody was having a good time and looked after. Special attention was always given to extended family members and he always looked out for his Harris friends when they passed through Saskatoon.

It was while at Hollow Mug that Gord met Joyce Soroka. They were married in 1981 and together they raised a family of three children – Chantelle, Miranda and Bradley.

Gord’s hospitality was not only showcased at the workplace but also at home. Gord always had an open-door policy to family and friends. All holidays and family accomplishments were celebrated with backyard barbeques and large meals. At Christmas, Gord was a master of just the right amount of seasoning required for turkey dressing and his creative ingredients in a batch of campground chili kept people coming back for seconds. Usually these gatherings continued late into the evening at which time Johnny Horton’s Battle of New Orleans or Stompin Tom would be the music selection of choice.

Both Gord and Joyce were avid dart players and they attended several competitions in Las Vegas. Summer often included trips to the lake with family followed by hunting trips each fall. Later in life as the family grew, he enjoyed looking after grandchildren and spending time with his extended family.

Gord was predeceased by his father Milton in 2006. He is survived by his wife Joyce of 40 years; children Chantelle (Jon), Miranda (Dray), Bradley (Kendal) along with grandchildren Brook-Lynne, Logan, Thomas, Raquel, Cole, Dominic. Also left to mourn are his mother Josephine along with brothers Robert and Kenneth along with many other relatives and friends.

Gord has left this world too soon, but he left on his terms. His request to remain at home allowed family and friends to stop in for a visit right up to his passing. While cancer may have taken Gord away from us, it cannot take away the many stories and joyous memories with him in our lives.

There will be a come and go Celebration of Life on May 28 2022 at the Parker’s house at 3210 Milton Street at 1pm. We will be having a second celebration in Harris at Brad’s Acreage at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to Ashley Knash.