February 10, 1935 - September 27, 2024
Gordon Herbert Crossland, age 89, of London, formerly of St. Marys, ON, passed away on Friday, September 27, 2024 at Southbridge Long Term Care Home, London, ON. Born on Orillia, ON, February 10, 1935, son of the late Herbert and Leah Miriam (Taylor) Crossland. Survived by his life partner Douglas Chamberlain of 65 years. Gord will be remembered by close friends Larry Herbert and Kiri-Lyn Muir, Nancy and Bert Carriere, and the ‘St Marys clutch’.
Despite his simple upbringing in a small town to a working-class family, Gord exceeded expectations by finding success as a professional skater and dancer. By age 12, he knew he wanted to figure skate and fashioned his first pair of figure skates by buying, with his own money, a woman’s pair of figure skates that his father then painted black. He was bullied for his choices by the town’s boys, but, as he put it, he got away because he could skate faster than them! At age 16, he hitchhiked to Toronto and back to see the Ice Follies, a fortuitous trip, as he eventually joined this travelling troupe at age 20. He eventually became a soloist, choreographing his own routines and having a say in the costuming.
At age 24, he left the Ice Follies and successfully pursued work as a dancer in television shows such as Wayne and Shuster, The Jack Cain Show, and Hit Parade. A Canada Council grant he won to study dance in England led to a career in ballet overseas, as well as more work as a skater and skate choreographer. Gord was very fond of England and considered it his ‘home away from home’, but he eventually moved back to Canada in in 1965. He began a skating school in Scarborough, and eventually gave that up in 1984 when he and Doug moved to St Marys. Gord continued to teach skating to the children of Perth County for many years. Both Gord and Doug were avid travellers and saw a good deal of the world in their time together.
Gord chronicled his life story from birth until the end of his performing career in a self-published book called “A Nobody’s Dream Came True”. He spent the last 4 years of his life at the Southbridge Long Term Care Home where he was taken good care of by the staff of the facility.
In keeping with Gord’s wishes cremation has taken place, and a celebration of is life will be held at a later date. As expressions of sympathy memorial donations may be made to Canadian Cancer Society or The Orthopedic Department of London Health Sciences Centre Foundation through the W. G. Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron St, Stratford, ON. www.wgyoungfuneralhome.com
