Gordon Winstanley

Gordon Herbert Winstanley, age 80, of Traverse City Michigan passed away Monday, August 26, 2024 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on August 20,1944 in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. Beloved husband of 54 years to Sally (Burau). Loving father to G.R. (Loree) Winstanley and Katherine (Steve) Hondorp and proud Pop to his grandsons, Ryan and Jack Hondorp. Brother to Susana (Larry) Gasbarrini. He is also survived by several dear nieces and nephews and many close friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Thelma (Hamel) and sister Donna Dalfonso.

Gordon was a dedicated man. He was an Eagle Scout and Sea Scout. He served as a Signalman with the United States Navy and with the Navy Special Forces. He was a member of the Civilian Operations team with the Blue Angels, the Coast Guard Auxiliary and was a 32nd Degree Mason.

After Gordon graduated from the Executive Management Program at Harvard, he started his business career at Bliss and Laughlin Steel in Chicago, Illinois. That led to BLK Steel, a joint venture with Koyoto Steel Company. Bennett Pump brought him to Muskegon, Michigan and eventually he moved to Traverse City, Michigan in 1986 to develop lottery systems for Syntech, a subsidiary for IGT Gaming. He later developed ATG and the last twenty-five years of his career, he was the owner and CEO of Winstanley Associates, a company focusing on technology and patient education.

Gordon was committed to his community in Traverse City and was active in many local community services. He was most proud of his membership of the Munson Healthcare Board of Directors for over 28 years, serving as the board chairman for 10 years. Gordon also served on the NBD Northwest Bank Board and the Criminal Justice Board for the Council of Governments. He enjoyed volunteering his time with the Traverse City Cherry Festival, the Blue Angels, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the Offshore Boat Race. Gordon was an adventurous outdoorsman. He loved skiing, fishing, hunting, boating, and hockey. He has been an avid skier his whole life. As a young adult, he was a ski instructor at Glenwood Acres and Kissing Bridge Resorts in Buffalo, New York. He continued instructing on the weekends at Schuss Mountain and Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire, Michigan. Gordon enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren to ski. Some of his best memories are the ski trips he took throughout the United States, Canada, and Chile with his friends and family. Gordon also loved to fish, especially off East Bay, where he lived. He enjoyed fly fishing the rivers with his son and most recently taught his two grandsons the art of fly fishing.

Gordon was a devoted husband, father, grandfather (Pop), brother, uncle and friend.

Per Gordon’s wishes, Cremation has taken place and a private family ceremony is being held. Contributions may be made to the American Red Cross and/or make a gift of donating blood to help others in Gordon’s honor.

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