Cornwall Curling Club members were saddened to hear of the passing of Gordon (Gordie) Lank, who was integral to the success of our Club over the years, as the MLA who helped get the funding together for it, and cut the ribbon at the opening, as a curler, former Club president and later manager, a Board member many times and an organizer of many events, including a visit by the Scottish curlers, along with our 20th anniversary celebrations. Back in 1993, he arranged a deal with the bank to refinance our mortgage at a lower rate, and to allow for capital improvements, including new, more efficient lights in the ice area.
Our deepest sympathies to his wife Shirley, who has also been a board member, a women’s president, a coach, and has served many years on the PEI Curling Association, the PEI Ladies Curling Association, and Curl Atlantic, and to the rest of his family.
All of their daughters had their wedding receptions catered by the club, and are also avid curlers, and have also introduced their own children to the sport.
Dennis King, Premier of Prince Edward Island issued the following statement on the passing of former MLA Gordie Lank:
“Gordie was a fixture in Island agriculture and Island politics for decades. After receiving his early education at the West Royalty School and Prince of Wales College, Gordie and his wife Shirley raised six children and operated a successful mixed farm. Gordie was involved with several community organizations such as the North River Fire Department, the Central Queens Home and School Association, the Hampshire Community Council, the Prince Edward Island Cattlemen’s Association, the Federation of Agriculture, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the Cornwall Curling Club.
Gordie was first elected as the MLA for 2nd Queens in 1979 as part of the Angus MacLean government, serving as Chair of the Standing Committee on Agriculture. Re-elected in 1982, Gordie served as Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs and later Minister of Finance and Tourism during the Jim Lee government.
Gordie was a passionate advocate for Island farmers. I was proud to call him a friend and will miss our conversations and his advice. I want to offer my sympathies to Shirley, their children and grandchildren on their loss.”
It is with broken hearts we announce the death of Gordon Lank of Hampshire, age 80 years. Survived by wife Shirley (nee Diamond), children Norma Jean (John) Griffin, Darlene (Danny) Kneabone, Susan (Danny) McInnis, Donna (Patrick) Butler, David (Tracey Sanderson), and Trevor (Kathy Breau), grandchildren Colton, Alysha and Emma Jean Griffin; Kyle, Cody and Dawn (Egan) Kneabone; Mary Beth and Sue Ellen McInnis; Gordon and Justin Butler; Taylor and Cameron Lank; Ben, Matt, Cassie and Marlee Lank, and three step-grandchildren Matt, Meghan and Breanne Kiley. He was blessed with great-grandchildren John Kneabone and Jack Egan.
Survived by brother Charles, sisters-in-law Shirley Horne, Isabel Stevenson, Miriam Lank and Noeline Lank, and brother-in-law Ernest Diamond (Marilyn Ford). Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his daughter-in-law Melissa (Dennis) Lank, granddaughter Kerrilynn McInnis, great-granddaughter Lydia Jean Griffin, parents Willard and Millicent (Dunsford) Lank, brother William, half siblings Keith Lank, Hilda Cook and Joyce MacLeod (Oliver), brothers-in-law Alton Horne, Russell (Florence) Diamond, Elmer Larter, Clayton Stevenson and Eric Watts, sisters-in-law Lillian (Dan) Coles, Diane Jenkins, and Ruth Judson.
Gordon was the son of Willard and Millicent (“Minnie” Dunsford) Lank. Born in 1941, he lived in Sherwood for 5 years then moved to West Royalty where he lived until 1960, when he and Shirley Diamond joined forces and moved to Hampshire where they lived for 60+ years. Gordie farmed in West Royalty and then Hampshire most of his life. He served as an A.I. Technician for several years. He was active in all aspects of life – school trustee, North River Fire Department, Junior Farmers, North River Minor Hockey, and shared his time and talents with several other boards over the years.
He was a member of Angus MacLean and Jim Lee governments and served as Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs, Minister of Highways and Minister of Finance. After Gordon’s service in government, the family purchased a cottage in Meadowbank in 1986 where they enjoyed 6 months of the year spending spring, summer, and autumn with family and friends.
To all Doctors, Nurses, Hospital staff, visitors and friends, Shirley and family say, “Thank You and Stay Safe.” Resting at MacLean Funeral Home Swan Chapel from where a private funeral will be held. Interment later in Hampshire Cemetery. Flowers gratefully declined. If so desired, memorial donations to the QEH Foundation (Cancer Treatment Centre) or Hampshire Cemetery would be appreciated. Online condolences may be made at www.macleanfh.com