NIXON, Gordon Desmond
Gordon Desmond Nixon died at home in his sleep on January 3, 2026 at the age of 94. He was born on July 30, 1931 in Fivemiletown, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland to William and Anna Nixon.
Gordon is survived by his eight children, Cathy Hadubiak (Dave), Gordon Nixon, Joan Robidoux (Marc), Gerald Nixon, John Nixon, Mary Nixon (Megan), Derek Nixon (Tricia) and Margaret Nixon (Kiril); his twelve grandchildren, Derek, Megan, Emily, Sophie, Katherine, Desmond, Liam, Finn, Marcas, Poly, Geoffrey, and Jaime; and his sister-in-law, Joan Molloy. He is predeceased by his wife Margaret; his brothers, Christy, Ivan, Aubrey, and Derrick Nixon; his sisters Gwen Carson and Olga McCoy; his brothers-in-law, Joseph and Jerry Donnelly; and his sisters-in-law, Maureen Donnelly and Eleanor Bartels.
Gordon was educated at Fivemiletown Primary School and later in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland. As a young man, he worked at the Ballylurgan Co-op in Fivemiletown. In 1954, he emigrated to Canada with his brother, Aubrey, and his close friend, Stanley Moynagh. His first job in Canada was as an elevator operator at Eaton’s department store in Winnipeg.
After two years with Eaton’s, Gordon joined the accounting department at Ontario Hydro in Whitedog Falls, northern Ontario. He was later transferred to Otter Rapids, where he met his wife, Margaret, who worked as a nurse for Ontario Hydro. Gordon and Margaret eventually moved to Little Long Rapids, Sarnia, Redbridge and North Bay, before settling in Barrie in 1977. They raised 4 boys and 4 girls. Gordon was married to Margaret for over 57 years.
While working at Ontario Hydro, at the encouragement of his wife, Margaret, Gordon attended night school to earn his accounting degree. In 1974, he became a Registered Industrial Accountant (later renamed Chartered Management Accountant). Gordon placed a high value on education and was grateful for the job opportunities that his degree opened up for him.
Gordon retired from Ontario Hydro in 1989 at the age of 59. In his characteristic fashion, he accepted retirement gracefully and dove head first into taking greater responsibility for the cooking, cleaning and child-rearing duties to allow his wife, Margaret, to pursue her nursing career, which she had put on hold to raise their family.
Gordon had many happy memories of growing up in Fivemiletown and went back to visit often. Over the years, he shared many memories from his childhood with his children, especially those about the people of Fivemiletown and their way of life. In his retirement, he wrote and published his memoirs, including Growing Up in Fivemiletown: 1931-1954, An Exile’s Memories by the Boy from Fivemiletown, County Tyrone, N. Ireland and The Boy from Fivemiletown: His Life in Canada, 1954-2003. He also wrote several humourous short stories, poems and letters, which have been collected into a volume entitled Letters and Recollections of Gordon Nixon. Gordon’s memoirs and letters are available at the Fivemiletown Library and have been popular with a great deal of readers.
Gordon will be remembered for his gentle humour, love of storytelling, diligence, strong moral values and devotion to the Church.
One of Gordon’s favourite Irish blessings is a fitting tribute to his memory:
May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
Visitation will be held at Steckley-Gooderham Funeral Home at 30 Worsley Street in Barrie on Tuesday January 6 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The funeral service will be held on Wednesday January 7 at 11 a.m. at St. John Vianney Church, 13 Baldwin Lane, Barrie. In lieu of flowers, donations to any charity are appreciated. Following the interment at St. Mary’s cemetery, guests are invited to return to the St. John Vianney Parish Hall for a reception luncheon.
Online memories and condolences may be forwarded via www.steckleygooderham.com