It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gordon Page Hunter on June 1,
2024, who died peacefully in the loving arms of his wife and surrounded by his family
at Oak Ridges Hospice in Port Perry Ontario.
Gordon was born to John Hunter and Anne Hunter (nee Swanson) in Edinburgh, Scotland alongside twin Kenneth at Western General Hospital. Gordon grew up in a house on the hospital grounds, where his father was the Chief Engineer.
The twins enjoyed the hospital grounds as their personal playground and got into all kinds of mischief.
As a boy, Gordon was in the boys brigade in marching parades with his brother Kenneth.
Gordon played the snare drum and Kenneth played the bagpipes. In his childhood he was an
avid swimmer and diver and loved other sports such as soccer, cricket, tennis, skating and
high jump. He attended Flora Stevenson primary school until the age of 15.
As a young man, he delivered groceries, was the coffee-boy for a moving company, and was
saving money for his first motorcycle. He tinkered with many different bikes,
when the twins finally got their dream motorcycle, a Triumph bike, he went on a tour of Europe with his twin brother, Kenneth. Gordon started an apprenticeship and worked for Oliver and Boyd as a printer in Edinburgh from 1952 to 1961. At this time, he bought his first car.
He met the love of his life Olivia Carmella Hunter (nee DeMarco) at the dance hall.
They had an instant connection and courted for 5 years before marrying. Both immigrated to Canada. As an immigrant, he had to adapt to Canadian printing practices, and he continued his education in offset printing at George Brown College in Toronto. His first job in Canada was at General Printers in Oshawa. He then worked at Ryerson Press in Toronto for 10 years. Gordon and Olivia started a family with daughter Celestine Anne Hunter, and with sons Kenneth John Hunter and Andrew Alfred Hunter. Gordon embraced fatherhood in all aspects for example being a hockey-Dad and taking his sons to their hockey practices and traveling all over the States for tournaments. As the family grew, Gordon moved to Ajax, working for multiple printing
companies such as CCH, Livingston Press, and many others to support his family. He also
worked part-time at Dickson’s printing. Gordon was a meticulous printer, boasting having
printed important documents such as the federal budget.
Throughout his life, Gordon played the snare drum in multiple pipe bands starting with the
Ajax Pipe Band. Some other pipe bands he played with were Scarborough Pipe band,
the Markham Pipe band and the Sutherland Pipe band. This lead him to be accepted into the Ontario Mass Pipe Band. He traveled with these bands all over North America playing the snare in exhibitions and competitions. He was especially proud to march on Warriors Day at the CNE in Toronto every year.
When his daughter Celestine embarked on her career teaching with the Durham Catholic School Board, Gordon supported her in many ways. He often popped in with coffee or homemade lunches. He helped setup her classrooms, taught grade 1 students how to play the drum and about his Scottish culture, and performed in Christmas concerts in full pipe band uniform. He was well-known and loved by many members of the board staff.
Gordon became a grandfather in 1997, with the birth of Christiaan Gordon Oostenbrug to
Celestine and Ypeus Oostenbrug. Then in 1999 his granddaughter Olivia Anneke
Oostenbrug was born. Gordon was there for his grandchildren in every aspect of their lives.
Gordon was the right-hand to his wife Olivia supporting those in need through the
St. Vincent De Paul Society at St. Bernadette’s catholic church. He delivered beds, Christmas packages,helped with the food drive and so much more.
Gordon and Olivia loved to travel and enjoyed many adventures home to Scotland, around
North America, and Europe.
He retired at the age of 55 from his profession as a printer. In his early retirement he was a
cross-guard in the town of Ajax ensuring local children got to and from school safely. At this
time, he thoroughly enjoyed being a grandfather: picking the children up from school, doing
activities, bike rides, and celebrating the early stages of their childhood.
Gordon never gave up his passion for drumming and joined a group of musicians called The
Happy Wanderers who delighted seniors with performances.
Gordon diligently worked to advance in his career and provided an environment for his
children to flourish. Above all, he instilled in his children the value of strong work-ethics and the importance of family. He was a loving and devoted husband to his wife, and was
a proud Scotsman. He will be greatly missed and always remembered for his twinkling blue eyes, smile,and gentlemanly manners.
Gordon is survived by his wife Olivia Hunter (nee DeMarco), Daughter Celestine Smyth
(Shawn), sons Kenneth and Andrew Hunter, Grandchildren; Christiaan Oostenbrug, Olivia
Oostenbrug, Philippe, Francois, and Isabelle. His sister-in-law Kathleen Hunter, and
nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents John Hunter and Anne Hunter (Nee Swanson), and his siblings, John Hunter (Anne), Anne Reid (Stuart), Margaret Watt (Ian), Elsbeth McCrae (Kenneth), and Kenneth Hunter.
Funeral services will be held at St. Bernadettes Catholic Church In Ajax at 11 AM on Monday
June 10 th, 2024
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lakeridge Oshawa Cancer Center or Oak Ridges
Hospice Port Perry, Oak Ridges Hospice,1722 Scugog St. Port Perry, ON, L9L 1E2 (289) 225-0202
Following a private interment, there will be a reception and celebration of life (condolences) at
11 Rothean Drive in Whitby at 1:30 pm.
Messages of Condolence
My most sincere condolences to Olivia and family
Catherine Niagara June 10, 2024
Through our son Georgie (RIP) we’ve know Andrew and the Hunter family for over 50 years. So saddened when we got the news and out hearts g...
Read more
Through our son Georgie (RIP) we’ve know Andrew and the Hunter family for over 50 years. So saddened when we got the news and out hearts go out to Andrew, Olivia and the entire Hunter family. ❤️
Ann Marie Ward Bancroft, Ontario June 09, 2024
Ann Marie Ward Bancroft, Ontario June 09, 2024
Olivia our condolences with the passing of Gordon. I know and have seen the love and support you two gave to each other, with the loved a...
Read more
Olivia our condolences with the passing of Gordon. I know and have seen the love and support you two gave to each other, with the loved and support of your family his legacy will live on for a long time
Willy & Carl van der Veer Ajax June 09, 2024
Willy & Carl van der Veer Ajax June 09, 2024
Dear Olivia and Family:
We are very sorry about your loss. May the Holy Spirit comfort you all, and may Gord rest in peace.
Susan Falcone and Ives Mazzarolo Ajax June 09, 2024
Many fond memories of and with Mr. Hunter! You and your family on in our thoughts and prayers!
Joanne and George Lepine Whitby June 07, 2024
My condolences to the family at this difficult time.
Trish Foxwell D’Arcy Ajax June 07, 2024
Our condolences to your family at this very sad time.
The Staff at Health-Rite Pharmacy Ajax, On June 07, 2024
Our sincere condolences to you all for the loss of my lovely Uncle Gordon. Our thoughts and prayers and with you.
I will always r...
Read more
Our sincere condolences to you all for the loss of my lovely Uncle Gordon. Our thoughts and prayers and with you.
I will always remember how full of life he was and the fun that the family had when I was growing up in Edinburgh.
All our love,
David, Camille and Arabella Watt
David Watt Guildford, England June 07, 2024
David Watt Guildford, England June 07, 2024
Our condolences to the family. A very fitting tribute to a loving, caring and respectful man, always ready to help whoever needed it.
Ypeus Oostenbrug & Raya Finkelson Maple, ON June 06, 2024
So sad to hear of the passing of Uncle Gordon, I had the honor of calling him that during my childhood. I will always treasure all the mem...
Read more
So sad to hear of the passing of Uncle Gordon, I had the honor of calling him that during my childhood. I will always treasure all the memories. My condolences to you Aunt Olivia and the family .
Ingrid Jordan Gravina Italy June 06, 2024
Ingrid Jordan Gravina Italy June 06, 2024
Our condolences.
We wish the family lots of strength in this difficult time.
Bas van Gelderen & Marcel van Wolferen Amsterdam, the Netherlands June 06, 2024
Such a beautiful tribute to a wonderful man on a life well lived.
Christine Holubowsky Newmarket, ON June 05, 2024
My deepest condolences and my thoughts and prayers are with you always.
Jessica Zuzarte Sydney, Australia June 05, 2024
“May there be comfort in knowing that someone so special will never be forgotten.”
May Gordon’s legacy of putting his family and faith fi...
Read more
“May there be comfort in knowing that someone so special will never be forgotten.”
May Gordon’s legacy of putting his family and faith first live on through his children and grandchildren. I am holding your hearts in my prayers. God bless.
Narmilee Ajax June 05, 2024
Narmilee Ajax June 05, 2024
Olivia & family, we are so..sorry to hear about Gordon, poor man was sick for a long time. Our Condolences. Our prayers will continue fo...
Read more
Olivia & family, we are so..sorry to hear about Gordon, poor man was sick for a long time. Our Condolences. Our prayers will continue for the family. His love and support for his family will be greatly missed, & he will always be in your hearts. God Bless!
Web Site design, hosting, and management by:
Back2Front