On November 11, 2023 our world lost one of the kindest, most selfless souls you were hopefully lucky enough to meet. The chances are good because he seemed to know everybody and his list of friends and acquaintances was long indeed. Gordon Arthur Travis, Gordie, Grampie or "Trav" as he was known to all who knew and loved him. So please, stay tuned and enjoy this tribute to a life well lived.

Words alone can never express the massive emptiness left in the hearts and lives of those who shall carry on this man’s legacy. Our days will have darkness but beyond the darkness there will be light. Light and laughter and love because we have had so many other days with him in them. Gordie will be a tough act to follow. We must do our best to measure up.

Here on earth he leaves his family and many friends whose travel plans are yet to be finalized.

His daughter, Sharalee Anderson, Truro; his grandson, Dylan Roode (Julie) who he was amazed by and proud of from the moment he was born, Onslow; his cherished great grandchildren, Tucker and Sadie Roode, Onslow; his sister, Gladys McQuarrie, Montague Mines; he was her baby brother and she loved him endlessly.

They shall carry his pearls of wisdom in their pockets and reach for them in times of need. Gordie led by example, loved fiercely, forgave quickly and never hesitated to help a friend or a stranger. We should all be so honorable.

For those who have gone before him and waited patiently in the wings for his arrival, they will greet him with open arms, delighted smiles and no doubt at least one wagging tail.

His most beloved wife, Beverley (Breen) Travis; his grandparents, George and Hazel Campbell; his parents, Douglas and Joyce (Campbell) Travis; his brothers, Roger, Leslie and Kenneth Travis; his dear brother-in-law and friend, Donald McQuarrie.

To all of them and the many others, thank you for holding his spot in line.

"Trav" spent the majority of his younger years in Pleasant Valley and Hilden. He made lifelong friends there. Friends who became family. You all know who you are but let’s mention a few: Robert, Delaney, Johnny, Peter, and the entire Matheson, Kennedy, and Densmore families. These bonds will never be broken.

At the age of 23, Gordie met and married the love of his life, Beverley. They built their own beautiful world together. Life threw him a curveball when he lost her in 2021 but his lifelong commitment to her and his family never faltered. He carried on and continued to be a strong and caring friend, brother, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Titles he was so honored to carry.

Never one to shy away from hard work, Gordie always provided for his family. When he became the sole breadwinner in the home he just said, "Well, I will just work harder!" He enjoyed a long career at Wilson Equipment in the parts department and could still rhyme off the part number for an o-ring for a Caterpillar Excavator. He had an amazing mind for numbers and rarely needed to write anything down. That talent along with many others led him to finish out his career at The Chignecto School Board as their Property Services Manager. It was an all encompassing job
and when someone asked his daughter what he did there she replied, "All I know is that if something goes wrong anywhere, at any school, at any time, they call my Dad and he gets it fixed!"

Over the course of his working years you could always find Gordie using his spare time to generate some extra income for snowmobiles, lawn tractors, chainsaws, Toyota trucks and such! He would hay for the Densmore’s, pump gas for Wilfred Farr, clear power lines for Lands and Forests then plant new trees to take the place of those that were sacrificed. These were labors of love for him and he enjoyed it all. Many suppers were kept warm for him until way "after nite" (as he used to say) in haying season. Much to his wife’s chagrin!

This man’s appreciation of the woods, Mother Nature and all her creatures was apparent his whole life. Much time was spent at "The Camp" or as Bev named it "On Golden Pond". They would spend hours there planting flowers, drinking tea and Pepsi, watching the wildlife and enjoying their life together. If you happened to ever have a visit there it would be something you would never forget. In recent years this magical place and the friends he shared it with became Gordie’s lifeline. He rarely missed a day there and it is rumored that he may have single handedly been responsible for keeping every fish, bluejay, squirrel, deer and maybe even a coyote or two in Pleasant Valley very well fed! His finned, furred and feathered friends will be missing him too. So if you have a bit of stale bread or a few peanuts in the shell to spare, share it with your neighbourhood wildlife and please remember this wonderful man.

Rest easy Gordie. You were loved more than you will ever know and will be missed by all who crossed your path. Family is forever.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Mattatall-Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro. There will be no formal service as per family request. Interment will be held at a later date in Middle Stewiacke Cemetery. Donations in honor of Gordie's memory may be made to Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, The Kidney Foundation of Canada or a charity of your choosing. Public messages of condolence may be sent by viewing Gordie's obituary on-line and selecting "Send A Condolence" at: www.mattatallvarnerfh.com