Gordon Orville Agnew died peacefully in Brandon General Hospital on April 20, 2019 with his family by his side. Gord was the youngest son of Jean and the late Orville Agnew. Those left behind to mourn his passing are: his wife of 42 years Dianne (Josephson), his two sons Chad (Andrea) and Mark (Kristy) and four special grandchildren Jase, Mila, Levi and Elliott; his mother Jean, brother Bill (Alana), niece Lara and her children Wyatt, Kylie, Emma and Mila. He is predeceased by his father Orville, niece Shannon and nephew Derrick.
Gord lived and farmed in the Dand/Hartney area all of his life. To begin his farming career he started out with his father Orville, Uncle Harvey and cousin Lloyd. As years passed and the farm progressed, he continued on farming with his wife and two sons. He was fortunate and proud to continue to work side by side with his oldest son Chad for the last 10 years. Gord always expressed how happy he was to have Chad carry on his lifelong work and continue on the family farm. He loved his community of Hartney and tried to support the local business as much as he could.
Gord loved to play all kind of sports growing up. He played ball with the Lauder Parklanes for many years and developed lasting friendships that he cherished all his life.
Gord had 3 passions in life: family, farming and hockey. At certain times the order of priority might have changed and was certainly debateable. He started his coaching career at a young age when his playing days came to an end due to injury. He enjoyed coaching his sons during the winter and summer hockey seasons and prided himself on being a fair and honest coach. He was always trying to get the best out of each and every player and was usually successful in that attempt. He served as Vice Director and Director of the Westman Region with Hockey Manitoba for 14 years and won “Volunteer of the Year” for the Province of MB. He served as President on the local Hartney Junior Sports Committee as well as on the Hartney Rink Committee; he was always striving to improve our small rink and town.
One of his proudest hockey accomplishments was assisting in bringing back senior hockey to Hartney. Gord was the Head Coach and Manager from day 1 and did so right through to the end of the 2018-2019 hockey season. His favourite years of coaching were when both sons played for the Blues. He enjoyed talking over the lineup, upcoming opponents and strategizing with his son Mark before and after each game. He would also love chatting over coffee at Redferns to rehash it all over again. He was a very committed coach and expected the same from all of his players. Gord and Dianne’s social life revolved around the Blues’ schedule and he wouldn’t even think of going on a holiday until the hockey team was done for the year.
Sadly, Gord lost his battle with diabetes and complications from this disease. The family wishes to express their utmost thanks to Dr. Cram for his wonderful and compassionate care he provided over the past several years. Additionally, the family would like to thank the nursing staff at Souris hospital for their kindness and excellent care.
If so desired, donations can be made in Loving Memory of Gord to the Hartney Splash Park at the RM of Grassland – Box 146, Hartney, MB R0M0X0
Dear Dianne, Mark, Chad and family, so sorry for your loss, lots of great hockey memories with your family Hugs and You are in our thoughts
Frank and Karen (skipper)
Our deepest sympathy to your families on the passing of your loved one. Thoughts and prayers are with you all
Dear Dianne, Mark, Chad and your family. The Hartney Blues have lost
“A Star”. Our deepest sympathy. Betty Elliott and Fernie Bisson.
Dianne, Chad, Mark , Jean, and Bill – Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Hold close the memories you have and they will give you the strength to face the days ahead. Sincere sympathy, Doug and Pat Whiteside
Dianne. My heart is breaking for you and your family. It’s so hard to watch loved ones struggle and then leave us. Remember all the treasured memories of Gord in the tough days ahead. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Shirley
May loving memories ease your loss and bring you comfort. Hugs. Blair and Calla Burton & families
Deepest sympathies Diane and family.
Debbie Norton
Deepest Sympathy to Diane, Chad , Mark and Families. Always enjoyed Gord’s dry sense of humour and opinions !!
Rest Easy My Friend !
Dear Dianne, Mark, Chad and family…our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Dianne, Mark, Chad and families,
Our deepest condolences to all of you.
You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Gordon and Rosalie
Dianne and family, so sorry to hear of Gord’s passing.
Our deepest sympathy, Eric & Sandra Sigurdson
Dianne & family,
We are so sorry for your loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Keep the memories close to your hearts. ⚘
Ken & Heather Voth
Dear Dianne, Chad and Mark,
Deb and I are so sorry to hear of Gord’s passing. We will always remember the fun times we had with Gord. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Brent and Deb Jessiman
Oh I am so very sorry Dianne! We plan to come to the service on Thursday. Sincerest sympthies to all of your family at this sad time. May the good Lord comfort you and give you strength in the days ahead. Sending you hugs and prayers
Dianne & Family, You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Sending our deepest Sympathy from Minnesota.
Our sincere condolences to Dianne and family in the passing of Gord…keep all those precious memories close to your heart …
Dianne
Thinking of you. So glad we got together for brunch spring 2017 for a visit with you and Gord. The Agnews have been such a big part of the Cassils’ (Herb, Lottie,Grant and myself) family over the years . Lots of memories and lots of laughs and tomfoolery.
Take care
Terry Cassils
Our deepest sympathy goes out to the Agnew family. Gord’s chuckle will be missed by all that knew him. So very sorry for your loss. Hugs Al & Lauren Somersall
My heartfelt sympathy to you Dianne and your family on Gord’s passing. May cherished memories bring you all comfort.
Heather Andrews
Dear Dianne and family, our deepest sympathy to all. Your love will carry Gord to a welcoming place beyond. We’re thinking of you and wishing you peace. Sincerely, Murray and Shirley Brown
Dianne and Family, Jean, Bill and Family: Our deepest sympathy goes out to the Agnew Families. Our families go back many years. Thinking of you all during this sad,difficult time. Jim and Noreen Coates
Jean and Family, My heartfelt condolences to you and your family on Gord’s passing. He will be fondly remembered by many.
Dianne, Chad, Mark and Families
We are so saddened to hear of Gord’s passing; he had an amazing zest for life and will be greatly missed. Gord was a proud farmer, had an amazing sense of humour and was a great community volunteer.
Thinking of you all at this time, your friends
Lizann and Ken Schneider
We were so very sorry to hear of Gord’s illness and passing. We pray that your memories, love, family and friends will sustain you through the tough days ahead.
Diane, Chad and Mark.
Thanks for sharing Gord with the hockey community. His legacy will live on with all of us who worked with him and now in a new role with the hockey gods. Grant and Connie Moffatt
Dianne and Family
We were so saddened to read of Gord’s passing. We are thinking of you, and send our sincere condolences.
Diane, Chad, Mark and families & Jean
So sorry to hear about Gord’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.
Diane, Chad, Mark and families,
We were so sorry to learn of Gord’s passing. A great community man who will be missed.
Kindest thoughts.
Nancy Schiltroth
Dear Dianne, Chad, Mark and family,
We were deeply saddened to hear the news of Gord’s passing. We have many memories of our boys playing hockey in Hartney and Gord being such a passionate coach. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very difficult time. Please accept our deepest sympathy, Brian, Ann, Justin and Jordan Barnes
Our sympathy to you Dianne and family. Many great hockey memories with Gord! Allan and Brenda Halliday and family (Mark and Tanya)
Diane,Chad, Mark and families we’re truly saddened to hear of Gord’s passing. We have many fond memories from our times together at various hockey events. Please accept our sincere condolences. May your memories of happier times carry you through.
Sincerely
Deb and Scott Lawrence
Monty and Ashley
And their families
Kenosee Lake,Sk
Dear Diane & family,
Our most sincere sympathies to you & your families. Like most people we have many great hockey memories of “Gordo”! May you find comfort in the days to come with these cherished memories!
Greg & Brenda Stewart
To Jean, Dianne, Chad and Mark and your families
We are so very sorry for your loss. Hugs!
Sincerely, Clark & Donna Tweed
Dianne and Family
Our deepest sympathy on your loss of Gord. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Larry and Louise
Dear Dianne, Mark and Kristy, Chad and Andrea and the 4 special grandchildren,
I have been thinking of you all week, and especially today. I feel so sad that you are going through this. What a loss for your close-knit family. My sincere sympathy goes out to you all as you go through this tough day, and tough journey. One step at a time. Keep all of the fun times close in your heart and smile as one comes to mind!
Hugs to all,
Marilyn Barry, Calgary
Dear Dianne, Jean, Bill, Chad, Mark and families. Our hearts are with you today as you say goodbye to Gord. We are sorry to not have been able to attend but are thankful for our recent visit in March. We will miss his entertaining stories and his wonderful smile. Until we meet again Hartney’s own “Mr. Hockey”…….
So sorry to hear about Gord’s passing. Loved his hockey and always had time to talk!! Will be missed in the hockey community! Our sincere condolences to the Family!!
Our deepest Sympathy to Jean, Dianne,Mark, Chad, families and relatives.
We share in your loss ,thinking of you in your hours of grief.
May your fondest memories keep Gord ever near, and give you comfort and strength for the difficult days ahead.
In Remembrance, Karen & Doug Hicks
Dear Dianne, Mark, Chad and families,
We are so very sorry to hear of Gord’s passing. We have many great memories of the hockey days, lots of fun and laughs. We are thinking of you all and may the good memories help you through your loss.
Most sincerely,
The Cosgrove Family; Brent, Patti, Dustin and Brooke
Just heard of Gord’s passing. So sorry for your loss. We have fond memories of our get togethers when we were in Hartney. Many fun times and laughs. May your memories help to sooth your aching hearts.
Our sincere condolences, Bob and Audrey Hornung
Thinking of you all after gord’s passing. Each day we carry on keeping our memories close. Our daily tasks keep us going. May it help you to know thoughts and prayers are with you all .
Hi Dianne and the whole family
Both sides of the Douglas clan send our deepest sympathies. Gord was loved by all of us, Don and I grew up in part on the Agnew farms and Gord was like a summer brother.
God Bless
The Douglas Clan
Apologies for my tardiness in responding. Gord and I were friends for years while we played ball for the Lauder Parklanes. After grade 12 I went to university and our friendship unfortunately seemed to dwindle. We shared many great memories and times thruout our younger years. He was a true friend. Condolences to his family. I will not ever forget his friendship. Ed Dale from Lauder