Gordon Joseph McKinnon Jr.

Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Tuesday, May 11, 1937
Date of Death:
Monday, August 30, 2021
Age:
84 years old

Visitation

Date: Saturday September 11, 2021
Time: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Memorial Service

Date: Saturday September 11, 2021
Time: 2:00 pm

Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]

Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Tuesday, May 11, 1937
Date of Death:
Monday, August 30, 2021
Age:
84 years old
Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Tuesday, May 11, 1937
Date of Death:
Monday, August 30, 2021
Age:
84 years old

Gordon Joseph McKinnon Jr.

Gordon Joseph McKinnon Jr. 84, of Rochester, Minnesota died on August 30, 2021 surrounded by his family.

Beloved husband, father, and grandfather, strong Catholic, 16 year stage four lung cancer survivor, army veteran, morale booster, storyteller, lover of beefeaters gin, birding, any and all card games except Phase10, NYT crosswords, Monty Python, choosing Jesuit schools for March Madness, and all things involving the Detroit Tigers and Red Wings.

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, in 1962 he was recruited by IBM in Endicott NY after attending University of Detroit and serving three years in the army. He worked for IBM Rochester as a programmer and continuing education coordinator until he retired in 1992.

In 1963, He married the love of his life, Norma, then moved to Rochester, Minnesota to raise a family. His proudest moment mentioned in his last days was raising three loving children.

In 1995, they retired to White Iron Lake in Ely, Minnesota until his 2005 cancer diagnosis brought them back to Rochester.

Survived by his wife, Norma, children Heather Fitzgerald (Francis), Chrissie McKinnon (Rich Jopp), Donald McKinnon (Emily), and grandchildren, Clark, George, and James McKinnon.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 11, 2021 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

Gord was always available to have a good time, and was appreciated and loved by all who knew him. Raise a glass in his honor and say “Cin-cin!”

Please make charitable donations to

Mayo Clinic Cancer Research

Parkinson.org

St. Jude Children’s Hospital

Condolences

The family of Gordon Joseph McKinnon Jr. has received the following condolences.

It's with great sadness to hear of Gordies passing but it also brings happiness to know he's at peace now and we can look back and appreciate the many years he brought so much joy to so many of us. Over the 50 some years of working and playing with Gordie there is no limit to the great memories of the interest and fun he brought to every encounter. Those memories with the consistent twinkle in his eye plus the joy of his laughter continue to bring smiles with the tears. I cannot adequately express my gratitude for the times with Gordie and Norma and the sorrow to the family and friends for this loss. May Gordie truly Rest In Peace and may we all remember and appreciate the honor of knowing him.


Phil and Wendy Welti

The Gord has been a friend for 53 of my years... and was often referred to by me as " the godfather of the System/3 Team". He was a very special friend and always wore a smile and it was fun to be around him.


I thank Norma and family for sharing him with his IBM friends... the memories of our gatherings will never be forgotten!


RIP dear friend.

I have known Gordy ever since I started with IBM in 1968.  I got to know him by working with him, playing softball, and socializing.  He always loved to have fun, always laughing. We talked baseball, him loving his Detroit Tigers as much as I loved my Chicago Cubs.  He was a wonderful person, and good friend, and will be sorely missed!!!  I know God blesses Gordie!!!!

It’s been 55 years since Gordie and I shared a "cube"  in IBM Glendale. But the fact is I still find myself smiling at the memories of Gordie's wit and just general joy of life he brought to the office, softball field, golf course, bar, or wherever he was. I have talked to Gordie just a few times since those days, but I miss him.


Norma , we (Tricia and I) are so sorry for your loss. 

Norma and family ..


Gordie always had a special smile that will always be remembered.  I didn't work directly with Gordie, but saw him often in the lab and felt his influences when we talked.  Special guy !  My condolences and special thoughts to all of his family.  

To: Gordie McKinnon's wife and family


Gordie and I were both hired by IBM in the 1960s.   I never worked directly with Gordie; but got to know Gordie best during the monthly IBMer lunches scheduled by Tom Schwalen.   Losing a loved one is so difficult.   You have my deepest sympathy and my prayers.    One thing that Gordie and I have in common is that our wives are both named Norma.   Please take comfort in God's love.  "The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus".

My condolences to the family. Gordon was a classmate and a friend throughout our days at the University of Detroit High School. He and the family are in my prayers.

Very sorry for your loss. A life well lived.


U of D High 1955

Gordy always had a smile at work! He was a joy to work with and could pull you through the tough times. You are all in my prayers!

Thinking of you all during this time of loss.  Since I met Chrissie in 7th grade, I have been fortunate to spend a few Thanksgivings with the McKinnons, and a few years ago the entire family and I gathered at Chrissie and Rich’s house for dinner. After spending hours preparing a delicious meal, we sat down to eat, said our thanks, and began to eat.  The entire McKinnon clan dove into their food with a vengeance, and before I knew it, plates were being cleared within 10 minutes!  Gordie and I were the lone diners finishing our Thanksgiving feast at the table.  That is definitely one of my fondest and funniest memories in recent years, along with our trip to Scotland in 2007! 


Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your family circle, Norma and Gordie, Heather, Fitz, Chrissie, Rich, Donnie and Emily, Clark, George and James!


XOXO


Carla


 

To Norma & Family,


Gordie’s laugh … EPIC!!!!!  No one else in my life has ever come close to his contagious, joyous, full-bodied laugh.  It alone could be enough of a legacy for most people, but his heart, kindness and joy equaled his laugh.  Gordie and Norma have been part of my life since I was a child.  They were wonderful friends to my parents, and in time, good friends to Dan & me as well.  Please know that he was a blessing to everyone that knew him.  That he enriched the lives he touched.  And that I’m positive he will be first in line to greet you in Heaven.  Our prayers are with each of you.  God’s comfort to you all,


Sheree Estes

Chrissie, 


We are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts. I know my dad had great affection for your dad. And I know he raised a remarkable daughter. 


Linnea and Jeff

When I met Gordie I quickly knew he was a unique and interesting individual - from the S/3 to the S/38,  from wrens to hummingbirds, from Golden Georges to Michael's, from astronomy classes to fireworks, from braunschweiger (with onions) to avgolemono, from hearts to euchre, from gimlets to martinis, from limericks (off colored) to Kon-Tiki, from a once a year lunch to settle football bets (including an unforgettable Christmas shopping excursion) to monthly gatherings - the best of which was a sunny afternoon shared with Gordie on the deck of the Pickle Factory watching the Mississippi flow slowly by - the great memories of a friendship from 1970 to 2021 - thank you Gordie for being my friend ...


 


Deepest heart felt sympathies to Norma, Heather, Chrissie, Donny and family ...     


 

Norma, Don, Heather, Chrissie and the rest of the extended family,    I remember Gordy as one of the first dads I met when our family moved to Rochester.   You were all so welcoming, and he was certainly an easy one to remember - such a fun character.  Wishing you all comfort, peace and smiles from very happy memories.   Love, Sue 

The Gord.  Department 469 -- System/3 team -- 2 club golf tournaments -- department Christmas parties -- weigh ins at the loading dock for numerous "diets" -- and the every day laughs mixed in with hard work and accomplishments.  The Gord was a friend to everyone -- and someone everyone wanted to have as a friend.  Norma and kids, your husband and father was a special guy and his love for you was ever present.  RIP Gordie.  


Jim and Marcia Archer

Gordy was such a great guy.  I worked at IBM as well and saw him in the computer labs frequently.  Always had a smile and a smart remark.  May he rest in peace.

Querida Normita,


Yo se que no te he visto tanto pero eso me impide que no sienta por ti. Normita, la vida sigue y yo se que tu vas a seguir viviendo por tu Gordy. Le vas a enseñar todo lo que te pasa todos los dias. Te lo digo porque yo he estado al borde de la muerte. Todavia hay cosas que puedas hacer en esta tu tierra.


Con mucho cariño,


Anggelina Secchi

Heather may you & your family find comfort knowing your Dad is now without any illness. Remember all those memories  of happiness with him. Love  & Blessings ???

Sympathy to the family, sorry to hear of your loss. I hope your good  memories help to comfort you- Salud!

Hello.  I’m so sorry to hear about Gordon’s passing.  It’s such a great loss and emptiness.  I think of all those times we played in your back yard when we were little.  May you all find comfort in knowing that he is resting in peace.  God bless you.