Obituary of Gordon Ronald Bailey

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of GORDON RONALD BAILEY at the Lewisporte Palliative Care Unit, on Monday, March 18, 2024 at the age of 68. Leaving to mourn are his wife, Cavelle; his daughters, Petrina (Rene) Scammell, Stephanie (Brian) Meserve, and Rebecca (Evan) Brinson; his grandchildren, Dylan (Sarah), Katelyn, Patrick, Noah, Wilson, and Rose. Also, mourning Gordon's passing are his brothers: Frank (Phylis), Keith (Karen), Anthony (Cheryl), Ian (Monica); his sisters: Sylvia, Frances, Eleanor (Peter Bowering); his in-laws: Pansy (Hubert) Porter, David (Doreen) Martin, Lloyd (Marlene) Martin, Elaine (Wade) Young, Bruce (Marilyn) Martin. Gordon will be deeply missed by a large circle of uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces & great-nieces, nephews & great-nephews; special friends, church family, neighbors, and colleagues. Gordon was predeceased by parents Bernice & Frank Bailey, sisters Stephanie & Audrey Bailey, grandparents, mother-in-law, and a large number of aunts & uncles. He truly “lived the dream” which began in 1974 with a school trip to Europe; purchasing his 1978 Suzuki GS1000 motorcycle (the first one in NL); falling in love & starting his own family in 1981. In 2000 he began harvesting his own logs and constructed his dream cottage on the Exploits River at Sandy Point. In 2006, he celebrated his 25th wedding anniversary in Mombasa, Africa. Taking Grandchildren, Katelyn and Patrick, on a Caribbean Cruise when they were only 8 and 10 years old (what a nerve!). Riding the Pacific Coast Highway on motorcycle, Zip-lining in Belize with his daughter Rebecca, visiting the Stone Forest in China, Hiking Machu Picchu with his daughter Stephanie and Huayna Picchu and walking the Via Dolorosa the road were Jesus carried his cross for our sins were just some of the highlights of a life well-lived. Gordon helped with construction of the Noah's Ark Orphanage in Banue, Phillipines, a Village of Hope Orphan Home in Malawi, Africa, a school building in Peru, the Pan Africa Christian College in Nairobi, Africa, and with renovations to the YWAM Destination Paradise complex in Belize. He also, spent three months overseeing the PAOC Office in Nairobi, Kenya. To name a few. His paid work experiences began when he was just 14 years old and he starting putting peddle bikes together and pumping gas. In 1977 he began his career with Household Finance where he became manager until 1986. In 1987 he began working with Newfoundland Labrador Housing Corporation until 2015; he quickly moved up the ranks to Regional Manager of the Gander and Grand Falls-Windsor Offices, until his retirement in 2015 when he became a Commissioner Security Officer and took on a number of assignments, right up to the onset of his sickness in November 2023. Some of his volunteer involvement included leadership roles with the Lewisporte Area Development Association, various church positions, Air Search & Rescue. Since 2002 he has been a volunteer with the Canadian Red Cross. He had 65 documented responses, 7 citations, and he was a trained site manager. In his four and a half months of sickness, he was comforted by the constant love and devotion of his wife Cavelle, the love and strength of his daughters, family members and some close friends. Thanks also to the Neurology team and nursing staff at the Health Science Centre, Central Health and the North Haven Manor Palliative care team. The many memories of Gordon's love, deep devotion to family and friends, and his great faith will always fill our hearts and bring smiles to our faces. Resting at Families Funeral Home with visitation on Friday from 7-9pm and Saturday from 2-4pm. Funeral Services will take place from Philadelphia Pentecostal Tabernacle in Lewisporte on Sunday, March 24th, at 2pm with interment to follow at the Pentecostal Cemetery in Lewisporte. In Lieu of flowers donations may be made in Gordon's memory, to the church office, to the Timothy Fund for needy students at Pan Africa Christian University in Nairobi, Kenya, Africa.