Gordon McLeod Obituary

Name: Memorial service for Gordon McLeod
Start: 2016-09-26T18:45:00.000Z
Location: Masonic Lodge

Gordon McLeod

July 16, 1923 - September 10, 2016

Gordon McLeod, 93, of San Mateo, California passed away peacefully on the beautiful fall afternoon of September 10, 2016. He was visited by family and friends in person and by phone just before he died. He was born in Vancouver, B.C. on July 16, 1923 to John and Ada McLeod and was the fifth of five children. Gordon grew up in San Mateo where he developed the hobby of beekeeping in his family's backyard and graduated San Mateo High School at age 16. After high school he traveled to Alaska to work with his brother in mining where he got a job doing manual labor. Throughout his life, he referred to his Alaska experience as challenging and as an incentive to further develop his skills. He learned Morse code, learned how to operate a ham radio and served in WWII as a radio operator on a Merchant Marine supply ship in the South Pacific.

After the war, he returned to San Mateo where he met and fell in love with May Wold. He proposed to her at Coit Tower followed by cocktails at the Mark Hopkins Hotel to celebrate their engagement. They were married at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Burlingame in 1947, settled in San Mateo and enjoyed 59 years together. Gordon continued his radio work as a hobby and made friends all over the world before the internet was born. He moved into sales in the automotive industry and later earned his real estate broker's license in 1964. He opened McLeod and Associates Realty, first on 25th Avenue, then on El Camino Real, which he successfully operated until his retirement in 1997. During the economic downturns of the '70s and '80s, Gordon worked as a radio operator on supply ships again in the South Pacific. He was fortunate to weather the ups and downs of the real estate market during those years.

Gordon was quick with a joke, most corny, some racy, but always resulting in a laugh, smile, groan, or smirk. One of his true passions was fishing. Whether out the 'Gate for salmon, up the river for salmon, or in the Sierra for trout, he was game to go. One of his favorite recurring trips was to Diamond Lake in Oregon over Memorial Day weekend. He always reminisced about that over the years at the end of each May.

Gordon was a member of the San Mateo Elks Lodge #1112, a life member of the San Mateo Masonic Lodge #226, a member of the Sons in Retirement and a member of the San Mateo High School monthly lunch group of which there are three remaining members. He also had three dear friends, John Pancallo of San Mateo, Stan Humphrey of San Mateo and Frank Grant of Millbrae who he spoke with daily. All of them called or visited Gordon the day he died.

Gordon is survived by his daughter, Linda McLeod Murphy of Alamo, CA, son-in-law Mark Murphy and granddaughters Allison, Ellen and Jane Murphy and by his son, Ron McLeod of Austin, TX, daughter-in-law Rebecca and grandsons Sam and Josh Lawson, his niece Carol McLeod Wilson of Hillsborough, CA , nephew-in-law Dr. John S. Wilson, grand nephew Jeffrey Wilson, grand niece Annie (Nils Snekkevik) and great grand nephew Wil Snekkevik and great grand niece Sonja Snekkevik. He was preceded in death by his wife May, sisters Edna and Jessie and brothers Harold and Frank.

Gordon's family is so grateful for the help and care provided by Home Instead caregivers Carolina Ganodauz and Fe Bautista and our close family friend Sally Taylor. In addition, the care and attention Gordon received from Summit Hospice was truly appreciated. Marethel Bautista, Maudon Nguyen, Dennis Duhaylungsod and Giannina Torcende helped Gordon and his family make this transition so peaceful.

A memorial will be held at the Masonic Lodge located at 303 Tilton Avenue, San Mateo on Monday, September 26, 2016 at 11:45 am. (Corner of Ellsworth and Tilton Avenues)

If you wish to make a donation in Gordon's memory, please send to Mills-Peninsula Hospital Foundation at 1501 Trousdale Drive, Burlingame, CA 94191 or visit http://www.mills-peninsula.org/foundation

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

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Sep. 16 to Sep. 18, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Gordon McLeod

Sponsored by Sneider & Sullivan & O’Connell’s Funeral Home and Cremation Service.

4 Entries

Robert Leo

January 10, 2017

Gordon and I were both ham radio operators.

we were in the San Mateo High School radio club from 1937.

we contacted each other over the years often, and even close to when he became a SK (a silent key so cant send on a key further).

we sometimes visited in San Mateo.

I will miss him.

Robert Leo, W7LR in Bozeman MT.

Mike Germano

November 13, 2016

Gordon brought a lot of smiles and happiness to my life and to those he knew. In recent years, I'd see him regularly pass by our house on Ensenada Way with his walker, on his way to Beresford Park for his daily exercise. I so much enjoyed every opportunity to chat with him, hear his life observations, and hear what new amusing anecdote or joke from his huge inventory he had for me. I was always amazed on how many fun jokes and stories he remembered, and hearing it with his terrific delivery and timing that made them all especially enjoyable! My life was certainly enriched and made better by having know Gordon and the stories he shared, I'll miss seeing him, but will always remember the joy and smiles he brought to so many people. Mike Germano

Jeannie

September 20, 2016

I remember meeting Gordon about 40 years ago I think at Thanksgiving? And listening to his great stories over the dinner table many times. He was a great storyteller and always succeeded in making people chuckle at least. Sometimes it was hard not to laugh even though I knew I shouldn't encourage him!
Over the ensuing years I did not see him so much, but always looked forward to hearing about him- the stories about his always most interesting life in recent years always made me smile. He was a warm, smart and big hearted person and I am glad I got to know him.

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