THOMAS GORDON MCLEOD McINTYRE
August 27, 1932 Stratford, ON – March 1, 2017 Toronto, ON
After many rewarding retirement years, Gord leaves his ever-lovely and adored pure laine Québecoise wife, Michelle Couture, of 61 years. Left to mourn are three McIntyre daughters, Dr. Lucy Lynn (Dr. Jim Wright), Sally Sue (Louis Dumont), Julie Elizabeth (Bruce Hamilton) and granddaughter Holly. Other immediate family members include his brother Ian of Durham, North Carolina, cousins Mary Beth and John, niece Eve, nephews Scott, Kyle and Glenn. He was predeceased by his brother Robert to whom he dedicated his book, Remembering Richly–The Rewarding Outdoors, published in 2015.
Gord was a career history teacher and for many years department head at Toronto’s York Memorial Collegiate, where he enjoyed the internationalization of his classroom. He was an experienced outdoorsman, angler, hunter, ardent conservationist, environmentalist, Hunter Safety Training Instructor, solo wilderness canoe camper, ever-hopeful organic vegetable gardener, knife fancier and insatiable reader. He was an award-winning outdoors columnist and longtime hunting dog editor for Ontario Out of Doors. From 1967 to 2013, Gord assisted Michelle in the operation of Torbec Kennels which gained international recognition for its Brittany Spaniels and Standard Poodles.
Gord was a graduate of the University of Toronto Schools and of the University of Western Ontario. While attending Western he earned his commission as a Naval Officer via the elite University Naval Training Division. Later he was the Chief Instructor of a downtown Toronto Army Cadet Corps and served a number of summers as Training Officer of the sharpshooting Ontario Cadet Rifle Coach Course at Canadian Forces Base Borden. He received the Canadian Forces Decoration and the Governor General’s Canada 125 medal.
Cremation has taken place. In accordance with his wishes, there will be no service. Condolences and memories may be sent through TorStar or Bernardo Funeral Homes (Albion Chapel) online guest books. Donations, if wished, may be made to the conservation or environmental organization of your choice.
“Home is the sailor, home from the sea,
And the hunter home from the hill.”
(R.L. Stevenson)