Gordon A. Borg, born January 13, 1946 in Rockford, Illinois, went on his final journey February 19, 2016, from Spectrum Hospital due to respiratory failure and cancer.
Going before him were his parents and sister.
Left behind are his wife Carol; and children, Gwen Rubio with Asia, Gretchen and Kevin Harper with Jacob and Bentley, Karl and Jen Borg with Greyson, Jocelyn and Drew. Gordon is also survived by many loving family members and friends.
He retired after 30 years as grounds keeper at Hope College. It was there, on a spring break mission trip, that the students gave him his nickname, Godfather. He loved meeting so many people and learning names of students, parents, staff, and professors.
Before Hope, he proudly served his country in the Navy from 1968 to 1973.
He is a member of Manna Church where a group of believers meet to spread the word of Jesus Christ. Gord loved to welcome newcomers, give rides, and help out where needed. He was a mentor to so many, many people, young and old.
A Memorial Service will be held at 6 p.m., Thursday, February 25, 2016 at Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James Street, Holland, with refreshments following. Burial will be at Restlawn Memorial Gardens.
Visitation will begin at 5 p.m., Thursday prior to the service at Lakeshore Memorial Services.
Memorial contributions may be given to Manna Church, 220 Central Ave., Holland, MI 49423.
Please visit www.lakeshorememorial.com to leave a message or memory for the Borg family.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Holland Sentinel on Feb. 23, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Gordon Borg

Sponsored by Lakeshore Memorial Services.

41 Entries

Marti Disler

February 14, 2019

Gordon sounds like he was a wonderful man. I am sorry I didnt know him personally, but I did know his family, especially wife Carol and daughter Gwen. Gwen and my daughter graduated together in 1991. Carol and I were in Girl Scouts together with our girls. Such a wonderful family. To the Borg family......... I am so sorry for your loss.

Timothy Bell

March 23, 2016

Gordon was a kindred soul, always had a helping hand, a kind word even if he was hurting or just not feeling so great himself. He helped me through a couple of hard times when I was in college. During the Yuppie Eighties, when people and students paid (too) much attention to the outer garments, Gordon just forged ahead without a care what he looked like, L.L. Bean or not. I wished I could had visited him one more time. I would had thanked him for being a true friend.

Jim Downng

March 4, 2016

Dear Carol and family, Sorry to hear Gordon pass away. I went to Roosevelt Jr. High and West Rockford High with him. He was a nice person.

Edna Zeeff

February 29, 2016

Dear Carol and Family---our hearts go out to you as your lives need to adjust to husband, Dad, and Grandpa being gone. Gord always had a big heart and was willing to help anyone. People were struggling with the computer guestbook so here are the names of several people from the Hope College Physical Plant that were there. Bob Hunt, Ken Hough, Henry Bosch, Tim Drost, and Edna Zeeff

Suzanne Visser

February 26, 2016

Thinking of and praying for you and your family, Carol. So sorry for your loss.

February 26, 2016

My most sincere sympathy. Please know that God is close to the brokenhearted ( Ps 34 : 18 ). He will help you to endure.

Jaci Eding

February 25, 2016

Sorry for you loss. Carol you and your family have and will be in my prayers. I had a test this morning which left me unable to attend.

Jan Schutte

February 25, 2016

Sorry for your loss. Carol, you and your family are and have been in my prayers. Sorry I couldn't be at the funeral.

February 25, 2016

We will miss that smile at Manna, for sure. Holding you all in our hearts and in our prayers, Carol. Love,
Larry and Sue

Clover Lynn Aalderink

February 25, 2016

Sorry for your loss, but praising God for Gordon's peace.

Bonnie Schuitema

February 25, 2016

Praying for your comfort and peace.

Amanda Diephouse

February 25, 2016

I will always remember Gordon as the first one who greeted me at Manna Church. He shared an incredible love for everyone he met, and was always good for a smile, a joke, or some love. Thankful for men with such great testimonies. My thoughts and prayers and love to the family.

Diane Guerrin

February 25, 2016

Rejoicing with you as you also mourn his absence.

Diane/Tony Disselkoen

February 25, 2016

Prayers are with you Carol and the Family, during this time.

Edna Zeeff

February 25, 2016

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Jared Teune

February 25, 2016

I met Gord for the first time working for Aesthetic Gardener. Quite the character, quite the Godfather.

Quite an inspiriation.

February 25, 2016

Gord has been such a witness to the students at Hope, the men at the mission .... to all of us. He was an example to all. Cathy McCammon

February 25, 2016

To all those who known Gordon. We share great memories of the Godfather.
Christopher Brandt

Tim Haney

February 25, 2016

Marj & I met the Borg family shortly after moving to Paw Paw Dr thrity years
ago. One of the girls came to the door selling something - and we realized that here was a potential babysitter for our young children. So we met Carol and Gordon.

Gord and I shared an interest in "tinkering", and we both had our share of miscellaneous junk and tools. I hadn't spoke to him in some time, but it still saddens me to learn of his passing.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family

sharon neuschwander

February 25, 2016

Very sorry for Gordies passing I was his cousin with many great memories when we were very young but lost contact many years ago Thinking of all

Sharon ( Swenson) Neuschwander

February 25, 2016

May the peace of God that surpasses all understanding calm your hearts and help you to cope during this difficult time

February 25, 2016

I remember Gordy and his sister Barbara as children. We lived in the same three story apartment building on School St.in Rockford, Illinois. His family lived on the third floor and his father was a fireman as I recall. The three of us often played in the sandbox in the back yard. Gordy was a gentle spirit even as a child. Lost track of him after the family moved. Sorry to hear of his passing but it sounds as if he lived a very blessed life with family and church family. May he rest in piece.

Karen Ferre
Gilbert, AZ

February 24, 2016

Iam Holly Baker of Machesney Park , Il. , outside of Rockford Il. Gordy and his sister were my first cousins. We were just about the same age and I knew them when we were small till around 10 years of age.Our families would get together and we would be able to play. Gordy was always so good to his sister.Iam so sorry to hear of his passing. You have our condolaces. Tom & Holly Baker
[email protected]

February 24, 2016

Dear Carol and family, I am sad to hear of Gordon's passing. Shocking to read his obituary today. Too young. My prayers are with all of you. Marti Disler.

Britt Hanson

February 24, 2016

I first saw Gord as the only one to raise his hand at a church service back in the 80's during a very moving hymn and I thought "Who is that strange fellow?" I found out later that he was a man that loved God very much. I always appreciated him going beyond what was an "acceptable" form of worship and I always found his living faith challenging me and the religious status quo. Not caring what others thought, not even aware of himself, he was caught up in God. Years later, when I had a terrible accident, broken back, and many other bones, extreme nerve damage and bed-ridden, I was in tremendous pain. Gord would come over, talk to me, massage my feet for a long time, which caused me great pain, but when he was done, gave me great relief. It has been a while since I have seen him but I can't tell you how much that time meant to me. I will always remember him and his gentle kindness to me. My thoughts and prayers are with Carol and his family and the Great loss you must be facing. Rest in the arms of the Father, Gord.

Tony and Deb Van Houten

February 24, 2016

Carol, Gwen, Gretchen and Carl,
I was sad to hear of the passing of Gord. He was a good man.
You have our condolences.

Mike and Ellen Tanis

February 24, 2016

Thinking of you Carol and family with our loving condolences.

"Just think of stepping ashore
And finding it Heaven,
Of touching a hand and
Finding it God's,
Of breathing new air and
Find it celestial,
Of waking up in glory and
Finding you are home at last."

Craig Pippel

February 24, 2016

Gord will be missed. I very simply liked Gord a lot and admired his approach to people. He left a mark.

Chip Evans

February 23, 2016

Went to high school with Gordy. Remember him as very friendly and liked by all who knew him. He had a printing press in his basement and made name cards for his friends. Will let 100+ of his classmates know of his passing.

Jackie and Glenn (Nyboer) Van Wieren

February 23, 2016

Gordy-as we knew him - will be missed by so many. Carol, he loved you so and always looked out for his family. He gave away the Gospel every time he reached out to help someone and that was his commission in life. I knew him first in Rockford when my family along with Lions Club obtained a Sight Dog for his sister and always kept in touch. Then at Hope College he was a friend to all. Gordy never stopped learning and as he sits at the feet of Jesus now, he is taking it all in! Gordy was a Saint and example to us all as Christians.

Johnny Ganta

February 23, 2016

When I was a student at Hope College, I made a short film on Gordon. Gordon throughout his life always cared for the tired and downtrodden. Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxx8Y8ESnHY

Minister Rozz Childs

February 23, 2016

To the Borg family; Gord became a father to me when he and Mick Vogelzang drove to Detroit, to pick up my sister and I, drove back to Holland to pick up a car the Saints of God had given me. Carol and Gord also put us up in their home for the weekend.
Whenever Gord and Mick came to Detroit, Gord would make me raise the hood of the car so that he could check it out. An awesome man of God who showed the love of a father to everyone he met. I will truly miss him, his smile, his love and genuine concern.
Earth's loss is Heaven's gain.

Steve & Melinda Hamstra

February 23, 2016

Carol and family, we hold you closely in our prayers in this time of loss. We celebrate the many wonderful memories of Gord - he was a blessing to many.

Psalm 115:16

February 23, 2016

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

Psalm 115:16

February 23, 2016

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

February 22, 2016

Carol and family, I am so sorry to hear of Gord's death. My deepest sympathies and prayers to all of you. Gord touched a lot of lives and was a faithful servant of the Lord. I along with Dave will keep your family in my prayers. Cindy Nyhoff

Judy & Bruce Smoes

February 22, 2016

Our sympathies to you during this difficult time.

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