Gordon Gerald Proud

Gordon G. Proud, hard working father, devoted husband, wonderful and loving grandfather, great-grandfather, and Notre Dame football fan, was reunited with his Creator and with his wife of 73 years on Friday, January 4, 2013, with his family around his bedside, just a few weeks shy of his 98th birthday.

Born February 24, 1915, in Oswego, NY, Gordon lost two siblings and his father by the age of 5 and survived polio but rose above a difficult childhood to own his own business--Minetto Service Center (Minetto, NY)--and become Town Supervisor of that community later in life. Although he had to quit high school to help support his family, Gordon completed his GED as an adult and contemplated taking college courses in retirement but found life with his wife, Ellen, whom he had met as a young man while pumping gas in her car, to be completely fulfilling. Born a Lutheran, Gordon converted to Catholicism after marrying Ellen and was very active in the church his entire life.

Escaping the harsh winters of Oswego, NY, Gordon (and Ellen) moved to Surfside Beach, SC, in 1988 after living his entire life in Oswego County. They enjoyed the beach life for nearly 12 years before moving to Loveland, CO, to be in the same community with their daughter Susan as their ages increased and their health did not.

Gordon worked long hours during his career in auto mechanics and parts sales but always found time to keep his yard and his cars in immaculate shape. Once retired, he purchased a motorhome and he and his wife enjoyed many long trips south and west visiting family members. Gordon also made time for exercise and would run to Oswego and back, a total distance of 10 miles, in his late 70s! Into his 90s, Gordon still rode a stationary bike daily. No one ever guessed he was as old as he was; he kept his body in shape and his mind sharp until his death. Neat as a pin, Gordon kept a Dirt Devil next to his favorite chair in his last years!

Gordon was married to Ellen for 73 years; and on February 14, 2009, their marriage was featured in the Loveland Reporter-Herald Valentine's Day edition. His loving wife passed away in late 2009, and Gordon lived with his daughter Susan until moving to the Park Regency assisted living residence in 2011 where he remained until he was hospitalized this past November.

Gordon was the patriarch of his extended family which includes his son, Gordon S. Proud (Carole) of Oakland, TN; Susan Roberts of Loveland; and Debra Proud Abell (Lyndon) of Washington, DC.; six grandchildren, acquiring four more through his daughters' marriages; and 12 great grandchildren.

Services will be held this Friday at 11 a.m. at St. John's Catholic Church in Loveland and followed by a reception in the church hall. In honor of Gordon and in thanks for the wonderful work of Pathways Hospice, the family asks that gifts be made to Pathways Hospice, 305 Carpenter Road, Ft. Collins, CO 80525. Also, please go to www.goesfuneralcare.com if you would like to sign Gordon's online guest book and add to his tribute page.