b. July 28, 1928
d. Aug 3, 2023
Born in Singhampton, Ontario to William Lorne McKinnon and Margaret McKinnon nee McLean.
Middle brother to Donald and Graham McKinnon who predeceased him.
Raised in Singhampton by his maternal grandmother Jean Adeline McLean whom he affectionately called Ma. He could ride before he walked and could even Roman ride two horses at the same time.
He completed his education in his teens and worked a variety of jobs working in a grocery store, a furniture store, driving a hearse and an ambulance for Mr McKillop, and harvesting potatoes in the village of Honeywood.
During his time in Honeywood he met Berneda Hartley and they were married in 1948. On August 13, 1949 (her 19th birthday) she gave birth to their only son David (Catherine). After him, came Debra (Brian) Cole, Donna (Michael) Wall, and Diana (Paul) Garbutt. From the Four Ds came 10 grandchildren. From those 10 grandchildren came 24 great-grandchildren with the eldest one being born in 1999 and the youngest born in 2022. All of them grateful that Gene met Berneda in Honeywood.
For most of his adult life he worked for Armbro Construction working his way up the ranks to become General Superintendent. He retired in 1988.
In 1972 he inherited the McKinnon Family Farm Bar-M and could be seen raising Simmental cattle, haying, and improving the farm for the next generation, which was subsequently owned by David and later his grandson Dan.
After the death of Berneda he married Nancy Schmidt and became stepfather to her adult children Vic (Michelle) Schmidt, Kelly (Craig) Ruston, Brad (Karissa) Schmidt and grandfather to her 5 grandchildren. He moved to Lake Rosalind and subsequently Walkerton where he enjoyed retirement by fishing for bass and perch, restoring horse drawn vehicles, and making road trips to other parts of North America.
McKinnon, Cole, Garbutt, Wall, Schmidt, Kent, Miller, and Awad grandchildren and great-grandchildren were glad to call him Grandpa. All of them were spoiled rotten with trips to Dairy Queen, Pepi’s Pizza, Christmas Mornings, Tim Horton’s coffee and donuts, crisp $50 bills, fishing on Lake Rosalind, The Little Red Truck toy, solids and stripes pool games, a heaping table of food, his presence at birthday parties, baseball games, hockey games, and weddings; and his handshakes and hugs.
He was also a lifelong Toronto Blue Jays fan.
So long for now Grandpa and thank you for the memories. ❤️
Cremation has taken place and no formal services will be held. As an expression of sympathy donations may be made to the Collingwood General & Marine Hospital in Gene’s memory. Friends may visit Gene’s online Book of Memories at www.fawcettfuneralhomes.com