Gordon Watts passed away February 2, 2024, aged 87 years in Vancouver, Canada. He will be greatly missed by family and friends in many parts of the world including New Zealand, Jamaica, the USA, Canada and the UK.
Gordon is survived by his wife of 39 years, Maxine MacLure; his 3 children - Jules, Jess (Rex Harrison) and Cass; 8 grandchildren - Eliza, Serenity, Isobella, Kitty, Jake, Tristen, Ben and Michelle; 2 great-grandchildren - Ella and Aurora; and his sister Gillie Dix.
Gordon was born and raised in Rugby, England. He attended Rugby School, completed his National Service in Egypt, Cyprus and Northern Ireland before attending Oriel College at Oxford studying Modern Languages.
He began his career as a producer for the advertising agency Foote, Cone & Belding and then worked for the ITV company ABC as a writer and reporter on the religious show The Sunday Break.
Gordon then worked for the BBC in several roles. He introduced a radio program called the Teen Scene. He was a senior producer of On the Braden Beat; Producer of the first British Rock and Pop Awards; Editor of Twenty-Four Hours, Nationwide, Panorama, The Russell Harty Show and That’s Life.
When he moved to Canada after marrying Maxine, Gordon worked for the CBC on Marketplace and The Journal.
Gordon will be remembered for his love of music, his wry sense of humour, his insatiable curiosity, his fascination with current events, his intellect, and enduring friendships.
The family would like to thank all the health care providers, in particular, Dr Ranger and her team, for their care and kindness towards Gordon.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. For more information, please email Maxine at gwmac.20240528@gmail.com.