Celebrant Pam Meily Vetter


	Celebrating Life Everyone Has A Story...

Gordon Vernon Audley was born in Winnipeg, Canada, to his parents, Elizabeth and Thomas, on April 20th, 1928. He was raised with his two brothers. His father worked on the railroad while his mother was a homemaker. Gordy was greatly inspired by his father. During a time when his father was laid off, although still allowed to ride the train for free, his father would take the family on special adventures. On these exciting trips, when the train would come to a stop, Gordy's father would jump off the train, gather wood for the wood burning stove and heat water to make the ladies tea. His father was very kind and thoughtful, passing that trait on to Gordy.

As a child growing up in Canada, Gordy was athletic and like most people in Canada, he loved playing ice hockey. At the age of 10, he was recruited to become a speedskater. The recruiter said, "We'll give you the skates and see how you do in the competition." Gordy won that race setting a Manitoba record in both the 110 and 220 yard events. After that competition, speed skating would become his sport of choice. Gordy continued training and competing throughout the years breaking records, and winning major championships. Hockey still remained a fun thing for Gordy to participate in. So many times, he would be picked up for an important game, entering the game under a different name, so that his father and coach would not find out.

It was the ice skating rink that changed Gordy's life forever. Not because of the Olympics - but because that is where he met his future wife, Gracie. They were both ice skating at the same rink when Gordy asked her for a skate. After they skated together, Gordy said he "wiggled a phone number out of her." And, the couple skated together, the rest of their days...

Gordy won a spot in the 1948 Winter Olympics in the 500 meters. When Gordy was in Switzerland for these Olympic Games, he bought an engagement ring for his Gracie. The couple married in Winnipeg. They honeymooned in Minneapolis and then both of them went to work. Gracie worked in a bank and Gordy worked on the railroad and continued his training as a speed skater.

Gordy's hard work paid off and he became an Olympic champion. He participated in three Olympics: 1948, 1952 and 1956. He carried the Canadian flag in the opening ceremonies of the 1952 Olympics and he won the Bronze Medal that year which was the only medal that Canada won in that Olympics. He sent a telegram to Gracie from Oslo, Norway, to tell her that he won a Bronze Medal. In the years ahead, he was inducted into three Hall of Fames: the Canadian Hall of Fame, the Manitoba Hall of Fame, and the Olympic Hall of Fame. In 1960, he was also asked to serve as a speed skating official for the Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley.

The couple had two amazing children: Karey and Rocky. Gracie ran the household and Gordy was her partner in every sense, enjoying his family. Gordy was family oriented. In fact, he lived for his family. Gracie and Gordy made a good team and they both were always so proud of their children.

In July of 1957, the family moved to Southern California. Professionally, Gordy worked at the Auto Club for 29 years. He knew the value of a dollar and taught those same values to his children. He also knew the value of living in a good neighborhood. The family settled on Hackett Street in Long Beach in 1960, where Gracie lived for the rest of her days and Gordy lived in that home until three years ago.

Both Gracie and Gordy were very supportive of their children's interests. They encouraged Karey and Rocky to be involved in healthy activites and supported them in all they did. They attended all of Karey's gymnastics meets and Rocky's football and baseball games. When Karey was offered an opportunity to travel to Europe for five weeks with her gymnastics team, Rocky was offered an opportunity to play on the All-Star Little League team at the same time. Gracie decided the kids would do both. Gordy traveled with Karey to Europe and Gracie attended Rocky's All-Star games.

Karey and Rocky had a big core group of friends who were always welcome at the family home because it was the "go to house." Gracie and Gordy not only attended their childrens sporting events but also supported their friends, keeping all baseball and football schedules, and attended many of their games and matches. They supported everyone's dreams.

The family celebrated the traditional holidays. Gracie was an amazing cook and spent hours preparing the meals and events.

Gracie always gave Gordy an important job, no matter what they were doing as a family. One time, when the family went camping, Gordy's ONLY job was to bring the tent, Gracie organizing everything else. When they arrived at the campsite, they discovered Gordy brought the tent but forgot the poles to hold the tent up. The tent was more than a little saggy. Gordy got an ear full!!!!!

There were lessons along the way in life. When Karey got a job at Pepsi Cola, Gordy wanted her to learn how to budget her money. So, he had her pay $40 a month in rent to live at home much to Gracie's very vocal disaproval. When she moved out on her own, Gordy had saved the money for her and it helped her get started. Rocky, meanwhile, got a job with the fire department and Gordy suggested he invest in a house with him. As soon as the market took off, Rocky took his share of the profit and bought his own house, with room mates to help pay the mortgage and skipped the lessons learned of paying rent at home – a true Audley Gracie and Gordy were there for their children's milestones through the years from sporting events to graduations to weddings to the births of their grandchildren.

Gordy was so proud that his children were both very successful, had good lives and good families. Karey has a successful career with Gulfstream Aircraft, while Rocky has been a successful fireman for the past 33 years. Because of their upbringing, both Karey and Rocky value family and they have both been blessed with great kids.

As Grammy and Papa, both Gracie and Gordy were devoted to their grandchildren and very involved in their lives, too. Spending weekends with Grammy and Papa were always fun filled with mud pie making, storytime and cooking pies. Grammy and Papa attended all of their school milestones and sporting events. They were very proud of their grandchildren - they too had become their shining stars.

Gordy always asked everyone - Can I tell you a joke? Everyone would groan and then laugh because Gordy told the worst jokes, but he had a great sense of humor. He was more of a storyteller - he had so many stories to tell.

With many favorites in life, Gordy had his evening routine. He'd get the newpaper, three mini Sniker bars and lay down on the living room sofa to catch up on the news of the day. This quiet time to himself was usually interrupted by one kid or the other asking permission for this or that. He never minded always patient and kind. His favorite meal was Mom's roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy and whatever desert she would provide – Gordy loved his sweets.

After he retired, he'd go to Long Beach State to watch the volleyball and baseball games sitting with his friends from the block. Gracie would stay home happy to get him out of her hair

After Gracie's passing in 2006, Gordy spent much of his time with his family - eating dinner together or hanging out with the kids in their back yards. He had a great relationship with Gracie and he missed her presence tremendously. He built a regular schedule of going out to dinner several times a week. Everyone knew Gordy, especially the waiters and waitresses.

Three years ago, Gordy moved into Summer House, which is part of a large and beautiful continous living community called Walnut Village. All of the residents knew him and loved him and many would make a special trip in the morning to waive at him while he was eating breakfast. He'd take off his hat and waive back. Jimmy and Karey would take him to the Red Chair Lounge most Wednesday evenings where the community would gather for drinks and music. They always saved a place for him right by the baby grand piano. Always coming by to say hi and shake his hand – they made a major impact on his life.

In the end, everyone in his family had a chance to spend time with him and say their goodbyes standing beside him in his last minutes. The family encourged Gordy and remined him that mom was waiting for him. They also reminded him with smiles on their faces – be prepared mom's going to be standing there with her hands on her hips asking "what took you so darn long - you must have be driving those kids crazy." It was one of those real moments that would have made him laugh... Gordy passed away peacefully to join his Gracie...

Gordy's life was not about material things - instead it was about the people in his life. He saved money so he could pass it on to his family. He was very generous within his family and yet very frugal with himself. Gordy will be remembered as sweet, kind, happy, outgoing and always positive. He loved life, he had gratitude for his family and he was content.

Gordy's children and grandchildren were his heart. His family was the best part of his life. His purpose in life was to be a great husband, father and grandfather - and he fulfilled that purpose beautifully and honorably. That's all that mattered to him.

His advice to everyone would be to celebrate his life and remember his family values. He'd want his grandchildren to do well in school and become healthy adults. He'd also remind everyone to pursue your own dreams - never give up if someone says no - and if you have the drive, you can find a way to make your dreams become a reality.

His family will miss hearing his crazy stories that made them smile... and they will miss his physical presence every day. But, they are comforted that Gordy is at peace and one day they will be reunited again.

Gordy was preceded in death by his parents, his two brothers, and his wife Gracie. He is loved and remembered by his daughter Karey, her boyfriend Jimmy; his son Rocky and daughter-in-law Carol; grandchildren Laura, Brett, Kaitlyn, Austin; his special friend Pat; extended family and many friends.

His wife, Gracie's memorial, is here.