HAMILL
Gordon
1940-2011
Gordon Hamill, beloved husband of Heather, passed away unexpectedly in Palm Springs, on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at the age of 70. Gordon was born on July 18, 1940, in Estevan, SK. He grew up in Frobisher, and was an accomplished athlete. He excelled at hockey, baseball and track and field. After graduation, he moved into Estevan and went to work for the Royal Bank. Right next door to the bank, was the first Dairy Queen to open in Canada, and after one taste, he knew he wanted to be in the DQ business. It was in Estevan that he also met and fell in love with Heather King. They married on February 2, 1963, and moved to Medicine Hat, AB, where they bought their first Dairy Queen. They were blessed with two boys, Rob (1963) and Dean (1967). In 1967 they bought the Dairy Queen in Red Deer. That first store is still located at the bottom of the South Hill. Over the years, he expanded, and built 3 more DQ's in Red Deer. He was proud to be part of our community. He gave countless hours of his time to be involved in projects in the community. He coached many hockey and baseball teams over the years; was the first coach of the Optimist Midget A Chiefs; helped to form the Red Deer Athletic Association; was president of Red Deer Athletic Association for years, and instituted the shirt and tie policy that still exists today. He was a member of the Recreation and Parks Development Board; co-chair of 1995 World Junior Hockey Championship; director of World Under 17 Championship in 1997; instrumental in bringing the WHL Rebels to Red Deer; member of the Optimist Club; helped to start a minor baseball program in Red Deer; played a role in starting the Red Deer Riggers Senior Baseball Team; involved with the Pediatric Ward at the Red Deer Hospital, and proud supporter of the Alberta Children's Hospitals. He was proud of the number of lives he touched by employing people at the Dairy Queen. He always said that he had a chance to help young people gain confidence and develop good work habits. He took great pride in that. Even with all his community involvement, Gordon always found time to follow and support his 2 sons. Whether it was with Rob for hockey or baseball, or skiing and raising German Shepherds with Dean, his greatest joy was being a part of their lives and watching his sons grow and succeed. In later years, he would watch his grandkids in their sports and activities. He was always so proud of them all. He took up golf late in life, but enjoyed his summers playing golf with friends, his sons and grandson. He looked forward to winter for hockey, but also to go to Palm Springs to golf with his good friends down there. He will be sadly missed by his wife Heather; they just celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary in Palm Springs on February 2. He is also survived by sons Robert (Rhonda) and Dean (Dory), both of Red Deer; grandchildren: Drew, Justine, Victoria, Heather, Samantha and Owen; sister Hazel (Carl) Horobetz, of Red Deer; numerous nieces and nephews, and many dear friends and colleagues, as well as the numerous past and present employees that have worked for him. Gordon was predeceased by his parents Alfred and Verna Hamill. A Funeral Service for the late Gordon Hamill will be held at the Crossroads Church, southwest corner of 32 St. and Hwy 2, Red Deer, on Friday February 25, 2011, at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Gordon's memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, NWT & Nunavit, 202-5913 50 Avenue, Red Deer, AB T4N 4C4, or the Pediatric Ward of the Red Deer Regional Hospital, Bag 5030 Red Deer, AB, T4N 4E7. Condolences may be forwarded to the family at eventide@arbormemorial.com.
Funeral Service Providers:
EVENTIDE FUNERAL CHAPELS
4820 - 45th Street, Red Deer.
Phone (403) 347-2222.