Gordon Edward Belanger

It's hard to put into a few words the beauty of grandpa Gordy's 100 years of life. He experienced a lot in that time. He recently said to us, "What a great adventure this has been." The biggest thing that we hear about him all the time is how genuinely kind, loving, and special of a man he is. He never met a stranger and was kind to everyone. Right up until his last days, he was the most affectionate, happy, loving and resilient person. He always took life in strides and made the most out of everything, never complaining. We were all so very lucky to have him in our lives.

He was so very proud of being from Minnesota. A very sentimental person, he enjoyed visiting places from his childhood, in Duluth, and various locations around Minnesota that had special meaning. He loved sharing about his life and all the people he met along the way. He had the best memory of anyone we've known. Most of all though, he was wonderful at living in the moment, and making those around him feel loved and special.

Born in Duluth, MN, grandpa lived with his mother Rose, father Edward, and older brother Wesley. At a very young age of 16, he enlisted in the US Navy and traveled to the pacific where he was stationed until WW2 was over. He later married Helen, who also had served in WW2. They had 54 loving years together. They had one son, William (Rhonda). Gordon has 2 grandchildren, Erin (Scott) and Jack (Taylor), and 6 great grandchildren Charlize (9), Elin (7), Austyn (7), Eva (5), Wesley (5), and Joseph (1.5 years). After the death of his wife in 2005, he had 9 beautiful years of love with his high school sweetheart Orlie, until her passing. In his most recent years, he's had 5 loving years with his sweetie, Sylvia. While most of his life was spent in Minnesota, he spent several years in Iowa, Tucson, Arizona and most recently the last year in Denver, Colorado, living with his grandchildren. What a blessing that year was for all of us.

Grandpa, being the writer that he was, wrote hundreds and hundreds of letters and Christmas cards in his lifetime. His way with words as well as his penmanship was beautiful. Very true to character, he wrote a few words for his obituaries well:

"How quickly the time flew by. Finally it ran out and now here I am. Never very successful financially, I enjoyed life fully and had many friends. Never tried to offend anyone. I was most lucky in love, 54 years happily married to Helen followed by nine more years with a perfect partner, Orlie. And 5 blissful years with my sweetie pie Sylvia. Blessed beyond hope, I was given the gift of a wonderful son, Bill, who along with his beloved wife, Rhonda, gave Helen and me Erin and Jack, grandkids beyond belief.

Fortune continued to smile on me with many nieces and nephews who showered me with their unending love and I loved them all in return.

Born in 1926, too young to realize the hardships of the Great Depression but old enough to have had a perfect childhood in Duluth where I still had many friends. The allure of WWII resulted in two years in the Navy in the Pacific. Jobs in Iowa, Arizona and 29 years with Sperry in St. Paul concluded my work career.

So now it's time to say good-bye. I loved you all.

And a special word to God,

Now that it's over, l'd like to thank you for the most wonderful life you have allowed me. For the endless good health (well, almost endless.) For my wife and family whom I loved so dearly. For the cherished relatives who have dwindled now to so few. For the enjoyment of friends. For my youth in Duluth. For a garage so my car always started.

For the special joy of writing Christmas Cards. For giving me a good golf swing. For an occasional joker or bower in 500. For a good sense of humor and lots and lots more.

I'm sorry that I wasn't a better soldier in spreading your glory. I guess where I wind up has always been up to me, but, of course the final word is yours. Please welcome me home now.

Love, Gordy"

Visitation will be held at Gearty-Delmore Plymouth Chapel, 15800 37th Avenue North on Thursday, July 30th from 5-8 PM. A Funeral Mass will be held at Saint Raphael Catholic Church, 7301 Bass Lake Rd., Crystal on Friday, July 31st at 10 AM with visitation starting at 9 AM. Private interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Following the Mass, a luncheon will be served at the Lookout Bar and Grill, 8672 Pineview Lane North, Maple Grove, MN.