Remembering Gordon

Dear Gordon,

It’s difficult to find words that do justice to a life as full and meaningful as yours. Your passing has left a space that can never truly be filled, but what remains is the profound mark you’ve left on all of us, both personally and professionally.

I often think about how life works in such intentional ways. I was meant to meet you through my early work with the BC Seniors Living Association, and from that moment forward, you left an indelible imprint on my life. You came to shape so much of my own value system, not by design, but by the quiet example of how you lived, led and built.

Your story has always inspired me. A boy of just thirteen, separated from his family as war broke out, crossing an ocean to start again in Canada. It’s a story of courage, perseverance and hope. You seemed to know, even then, that your only way forward was through the power of education and determination. You built a life from those very principles, and that same resolve became the foundation of everything you later created.

By the time I met you, you were already known as the man who had redefined what retirement living could be, though you would never have called yourself a pioneer. Your reputation for excellence preceded you, but it was your quiet conviction that left the greatest impression. You believed deeply that we must never cut corners, that quality in people, in our communities and in our operations would always rise to the top. You reminded us that integrity and care are not things to be compromised, even in the face of adversity.

You didn’t just give me the chance to lead at Berwick. You gave me something much greater: your trust. For me, and for all of us who had the privilege of earning it, that trust became both a responsibility and a gift. When Gordon Denford placed his confidence in you, you felt it deeply. You wanted to live up to it. You wanted to deliver for him. That is the legacy you leave in each of us, a sense of stewardship for what you built, and a determination to carry it forward with the same care and purpose that defined your life’s work.

You showed us that Berwick was never just about buildings. It was about people, about creating communities where seniors could find purpose, possibility and connection, and live with dignity. You showed us that leadership is not about title or position, but about compassion, doing the right things and humility.

You will be deeply missed, Gordon, but never, ever forgotten. Your guiding compass will continue to lead us, and your spirit will remain at the heart of Berwick for generations to come.

With deepest respect, admiration and gratitude, from me and from all of us at Berwick,

Amir