Gordon McKay

Gordon was born on October 11, 1947, to George Sr. and Maggie McKay of Minegoziibe Anishinabe First Nation (Pine Creek) on Treaty Four territory. Growing up he attended Pine Creek Residential School and later attended high school at Assiniboia Residential School in Winnipeg. He was an outstanding hockey player in his younger days and was known to family as “Champion” due to his great hockey skills. It was said that he almost made it to the NHL.

Gordie grew up with 12 siblings, 6 brothers and 6 sisters and his parents. Along with his brothers, he learned to fish, trap and hunt with our dad and relatives. He carried on these skills to the end of his life and was known to make the best pickerel fillets you could buy.

While attending Assiniboia Residential School in Winnipeg, Gordie met his high school sweetheart, Vivian Paul (eban) of Dog Creek First Nation. Soon after high school, they got married and started a family of their own. Their son Leslie (eban) was born in November 1970, and their daughter Kristin was born in May 1985. Gordie and Vivian raised their grandson Kayden. Later grandson Baby Joseph (eban) and Kendall were born whom he cherished very much. August 26, 2023, he was proud to walk his beautiful daughter Kristin down the aisle when she married Fabian Welburn of Camperville.

With his wife by his side Gordie had an adventurous life working in Winnipeg for 25 years in construction and factory work. They later relocated to Minegoziibe First Nation (Pine Creek) where they both lived until their passing. During their life together Gordie and Vivian frequently attended local fishing derbies and other fishing derbies around the province. Gordie and brother, George along with their wives, travelled many weekends together to attend major fishing derbies along with their children. They loved doing this together and being out on the lake and the land. Gordie loved to hunt and fish and always shared his catch of fish.  Whether he was hunting or working, any time of the day he always made it home to Kayden.

To pass the time, Gordie loved to watch hockey and baseball and used to play hockey with the local senior men’s teams. He enjoyed VLTs too but could do without it on busy days. For many years Gordie owned Gordon McKay Construction at Minegoziibe working for the community and band members. He also hauled for a logging company and many other companies throughout his career. For a time, he was a truck driver for the Keeyask Hydro Project in northern Manitoba and in his retiring years he was a bus driver for Frontier School Division and worked for the community as a night watchman to the end of his life. No matter what his age he loved and felt the need to work and support himself and his family.

Gordie loved family gatherings and invited everyone to his celebrations. He was proud to witness his grandson Kayden’s Grade 12 graduation from Minegoziibe Anishinabe High School. He attended many family events to support the family and loved the visits. Gordie had a close, special relationship with his brother George. They talked every day on the phone and planned fishing trips all over Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario. They played the casinos together and shared their winnings on the greatest catches of all the derbies.

Gordie loved to chat and visit with everyone. At any time, him and Kayden would show up at your door for a visit and to have lunch with you before they would head home. We will miss him very much!

Gordie was predeceased by his parents George and Maggie McKay, grandparents Joe and Marie McKay of Pine Creek FN and Louis and Justina Richard of Camperville; brothers Charles, Clifford, Frederick and sister Gloria McKay; wife Vivian Paul of Dog Creek FN, son Leslie McKay, grandson Joseph Welburn; sisters-in-law Doreen Chartrand (Charles) of Camperville, Irene Linklater (George) of Nelson House, Brenda and Olga from Dog Creek FN; brothers-in-law Harold Paul, Cecil Paul, Doug Paul, Charles Monkman of Dog Creek FN.

He is survived by his daughter Kristin (Fabian), grandsons Kayden and Kendall; brothers George Sr II, Ivan (Paulette), William (Ann), sisters Gina (James Sr), Joanne, Margaret (Dave) Tina, Mary (Larrie); Auntie Evelyn Lariviere (Wally), Auntie Irene; sister-in-law Valerie (Cliff-eban) and Lucille (Fred-eban); many nephews and nieces, too numerous to name.

Gordon “Champion” Joseph McKay will be missed by all who knew him. Two days of wake services will be held at Gordie’s home in Minegoziibe First Nation at McKay’s Point. His body will arrive at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 27, 2025. Drumming songs will be sung at 6 p.m. with traditional prayers at 7 p.m. with Father Sleeva-Raju Palla presiding.

On March 1, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. a mass with Rev. Sleeva-Raju Palla officiating was held at Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Roman Catholic Church with interment followed in the parish cemetery. 

Pallbearers: Ivan McKay, William McKay, Thomas McKay, Stoney McKay, Charlie McKay, Daniel Richard

Honorary Pallbearers: Kristin Welburn, Kayden McKay, Kendall Welburn, Fabian Welburn, Jessica, Amber, Ariel, Linda Monkman, Vanessa Monkman, Chucky, Christopher and many great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends who knew him.

Gichi-miigwech (greatest thanks) from the family for all your prayers, donations and your presence. “Fly High Brother to Your Resting Place”

Donations can be made to the Diabetes Foundation of Canada. Flowers are welcome.

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