Gordon Nivelle Sherwood

Portland-Gordon Nivelle Sherwood, 89, of Portland, Maine passed away on November 23, 2017 peacefully at home with his wife Sylvia by his side. Gordon was born in Saskatchewan, Canada on April 29, 1928. When Gordon was a child, the family moved to Maine, eventually settling at North Road Yarmouth where he lived for 35 years before moving to Milford, Ohio and later Isle of Palms, South Carolina. Gordon and Sylvia returned to Maine 3 years ago to be close to family. Gordon made his living as a Teamster truck driver for 30 years. An accomplished business man, he and his wife owned Gordon's Deli in Ohio as well as a trucking company, and enjoyed flipping homes. He liked spending time at camp on Westport Island, fixing things and remodeling homes (priding himself on doing things himself or with friends). As a youth he traveled by ship to Poland delivering horses after WWII. He was a Corporal in the United States Army during the Korean War. In his 60s he returned to Korea where he was honored for his service. He was active in the AMVETS, VFW, Shriners, and Masons. On June 22, 1970, Gordon married Sylvia Clukey Clifford. They were married for 47 years. Gordon was a resilient and resourceful man. He never shied away from hard work and instilled this in his children. He supported them as they pursued higher education, travel and new opportunities. He believed things would work out and he showed others the power of perseverance, positive thinking, risk taking and determination. As he experienced physical decline, he was resolute to regain skills to engage in those things he found meaningful (such as walking his dog, Rascal; spending time at a favorite lunch spot; or chatting with family and friends). He also told his story to teach occupational therapy students at the University of New England. Upon retirement, Gordon and Sylvia bought a beach home in Isle of Palms, South Carolina where they enjoyed walks on the beach and spending time with family and friends. They traveled extensively. They took a cruise through the Panama Canal, where Gordon enjoyed learning about the locks system. They traveled through Europe, Mexico, Canada and the United States. He celebrated his 80th birthday in France. Gordon loved visiting his cousins in Canada and friends along the way. They traveled frequently to visit their children and grandchildren. Just last year they went to Cincinnati Ohio for his grandson's wedding where the family celebrated together. Gordon attended many dance recitals, ball games, birthday parties, and graduation festivities. He loved to hear and tell stories about his grandchildren and was very proud of each of them. He lived his life to the fullest and even last week spent time at Portland Headlight. Gordon's family wishes to thank Home Instead, Hospice of Southern Maine, Visiting Nurses Association, Maine Medical Center, and staff and personnel of 75 State Street. Gordon is predeceased by his parents, Ruth and Clive Sherwood; brothers Harold and Donald Sherwood; a sister, Gloria Young. He is survived by his wife, Sylvia Sherwood, and children: Jeff Sherwood and wife Paula; Jeanne Stwarka and husband, Larry and their children Michael, David, and Jonathan and wife Megan and great grandchild Vivienne Mae Stwarka; Judy Cohn and husband, Peter and their children, Jennifer, Amy, and Stephanie; Jane O'Brien and husband, Michael and their children Scott, Alison, and Molly; and Reverend Edward Clifford; three brothers, Phillip Sherwood, Earl Sherwood, Gene Sherwood; a sister, Sally Stowell; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.. Visitation and celebration of Gordon's life will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Monday November 27, 2017 at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland Maine. Prayers will be recited on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 at the funeral home at 9:15am followed by a 10:00am Mass of Christian Burial at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street, Portland, Maine, with Gordon's stepson the Reverend Edward Clifford officiating. Burial will be in Saint Francis Catholic Cemetery in Waterville Maine. To view Gordon's memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com Those who wish may make contributions in Gordon's memory to: Barbara Bush Children's Hospital, Maine Medical Center, 22 Bramhall Street, Portland, ME 04102