Gideon Charles SILVERTHORN

SILVERTHORN, Gideon Charles

Gideon Charles Silverthorn, 85, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 13, 2014, at his home in Stuart, Florida.Gideon Charles was born to the late Gideon and Nellie Beatrice Silverthorn on April 18, 1928 in Etobicoke, Ontario. Gideon lived on a family farm of 1,000 acres in the city of Toronto. The Silverthorn family grew tomatoes on 50 acres for Campbell's Soup for a period of ten years, and a can of the signature soup could always be found in Gideon's pantry. Gideon regaled his family with stories from his happy youth on the farm and his boisterous scrapes. Although he found school restrictive and boring, Gideon graduated from Etobicoke Collegiate in 1950. Later that year, he enrolled in a Mechanical Industrial Technology Course at Ryerson Institute of Technology and graduated in 1952 with honours. He had ambitions to prepare for the working world beyond the farm, and chose a career as a civil servant over agriculture. He married Viola Mohns on July 24, 1954, and they lived together in Kanata, Ontario with their three sons for the duration of their marriage of 34 years. They divorced in 1988. Gideon described Viola as a good wife. Gideon worked for the Department of National Defense for 37 years. During his career, Gideon achieved several patents on behalf of her Majesty the Queen. One patent, the Universal Canister Mount, resulted in him being awarded the Canadian Patents and Development Limited official symbol, Rodin's 'The Thinker'. All of Gideon's patents improved the safety of Canadian Armed Forces members on the battlefield. His patent on the automated production of canisters for gas masks is still being used in the manufacture of canisters today. Gideon had a love of boats and the sea that could not be linked to his heritage. In 1950 he became a Red Cross swimming instructor; in 1965 he became a qualified scuba diver, and then a scuba instructor in 1968. By 1992, Gideon became a scuba diver, Instructor Trainer across multiple SCUBA associations. Gideon amalgamated his love of the water and boating with his passion for inventing, building and family. Most memorably, he purchased an aluminum houseboat hull, designed and fabricated the entire boat above the waterline and traveled extensively on her with his family and extended family, creating many treasured memories for his three boys. Gideon joined the Canadian Power Squadron in 1965, and by 1994 ascended to the position of Rear Commander at the national level. More recently, Gideon served as the Commodore of the Yacht and Country Club of Stuart, Florida. At age 75, he obtained his Captain's license for commercial marine vessels. Two of Gideon's proudest achievements on behalf of the Silverthorn family included the commissioning of a book about the Silverthorn family with his siblings, titled '10 Generations of Silverthorns in America'; as well as the design of a Silverthorn Coat of Arms that was recognized by the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada.Gideon's surviving three sons were a source of boundless joy to him during their formative years: Stephen (Diana) Silverthorn, of Mississauga Ontario; Jeffrey (Karen) Silverthorn, of Stittsville Ontario; and Roger (Mary) Silverthorn, of Orillia Ontario. Gideon is also survived by six grandchildren: Daniel, David, Nicole, Lauren, Gideon, and Starr. Gideon is predeceased by his sister Margaret Gilbert, and brother Don Silverthorn.Gideon will be lovingly remembered by his wife Carolyn, who became his wife in 2001. Gideon's bride embraced his passion for world travel and they embarked on many adventures together to far flung destinations, until Gideon's failing health prevented further travel. Carolyn was unwaveringly dedicated to Gideon, and they had a wonderful love story, providing inspiration to those who knew and loved them.A Memorial Services will be held in Toronto at the Islington United Church 25 Burnhamthorpe Road, Etobicoke, at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 17. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation:
www.canadianpulmonaryfibrosis.ca/donate