Wiggo Gordon Elkeer

1934 - 2010  (75 years)

• Name	Wiggo Gordon Elkeer
  Born	11 Oct 1934	Camrose, , Alberta, Canada   [1]
  Gender	Male
  Name	Gord Elkeer
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-142293
  Died	5 Feb 2010	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [1]
  	Cause: esophageal cancer
  Buried	Delmer Cemetery, Delmer, Oxford Co, Ontario
  Person ID	I142293	Generations
  Last Modified	7 Nov 2024

  
  

• Notes

  A man who went after what he wanted Gord Elkeer of New Hamburg Born: Oct. 11, 1934, in Camrose, Alta. Died: Feb. 5, 2010, of esophageal cancer February 23, 2010 By Valerie Hill, Record staff NEW HAMBURG Ask the folks in New Hamburg about Gord Elkeer and there seems to be a repeating theme: he was a man ahead of his time, a man of great integrity and a man with an infectious vision. If Gord was excited about a project, he'd have half the town on his side, a valuable asset given he came to New Hamburg from Toronto in 1973, long before influences of nearby cities altered the dynamics of the quiet, rural life. Gord, then a retired RCMP officer had this crazy idea of opening a fine-dining French restaurant he called The Waterlot, located in a doctor's Victorian-style home. It was smack in the middle of a town of 3,400 where the sale of liquor was illegal. Gord was not easily discouraged and purchased the house with his business partner, then convinced a rising talent, French chef Jean Pierre Gillet, to leave Toronto for the wilds of New Hamburg. He then hired a top-ranked marketing firm to create an image and successfully lobbied the town to allow a liquor licence. Gord was the sort that if you said he couldn't, he set out to prove he could. The 1847 stately house was originally built for William J. Scott, one of the town's wealthier founders and later became a medical practice. In 1933, Dr. T. Crosby Kirkpatrick, took over the house after his partner died and it was with the good doctor that Gord made a pact. In 1973, Dr Kirkpatrick was ready to retire but he wasn't about to take the cash for the old place and run. He wanted assurances that these new owners from Toronto would protect the historical integrity of the old place; keep it accessible to the public. The partners agreed, and other than installing a mandatory professional kitchen the building was unaltered and remains much as it had been 150 years ago. Four years after opening, Gord bought out his partner and gave an acre of the property to the town, which in turn created Scott Park on the banks of the Nith River. He also opened a second restaurant next door, one much smaller and less formal. Then in the mid-1980s he opened three guest rooms in the upstairs of the home, naming each room for a former owner. In this second career Gord had become a successful restaurant owner, entrepreneur and community leader. Rather different than his first career. Born to Danish immigrants in Alberta, Gord was the only child in his family to survive to adulthood. He grew up in Tillsonburg. Family legend has it that Gord once saw the picture of an RCMP officer on a calendar and after expressing interest, was told he could never become a Mountie. He set out to prove them wrong. Gord graduated as a RCMP officer in 1954, became a member of the musical ride, and then joined the force's highly secretive intelligence department, serving across Canada as well as around the world. Gord could never speak of his secret assignments, and as he got closer to retirement age, he grew increasingly frustrated with the level of red tape he had to deal with. It was time for a new plan, something more suited to his social, fun side. While still serving in the RCMP Gord completed the hotel and tourism program at Ryerson University and with firm ideas in his mind about his future, he left the RCMP after 23 years, two years before full retirement age. It was time for a new adventure and he found one in New Hamburg, a location close to Stratford and all the tourists that town attracts, particularly Americans from the border states. "When he wanted to do something, that's just what he did," said son Chris Elkeer. "He was one of a kind." In his personal life, Gord served with the local board of trade and achieved the rank of Master Mason in the Free Masons, which qualified him to also become a Shriner. Gord, though eventually divorced, was always a strong family man, taking his kids on many trips, always off the beaten track. They would arrive in a country with a flexible itinerary and no hotel booked. At the Waterlot, he was the guy all the staff saw as a mentor, not just the boss. Former restaurant manager Kerry Long was first a friend and later an employee, and he was always impressed by how Gord encouraged his young staff to get an education, to move on to a better future and he kept tabs on their progress for years. Kerry was also impressed by the high standards Gord demanded. "He used silver plate cutlery and had fine original art on the walls of the restaurant. Gord was a proponent of local food years ago." He also enthusiastically promoted Ontario VQA wines, long before wine lovers would even consider trying a glass. Everything, from meat dishes to pastries and soup stock had to be made in the Waterlot's kitchen from scratch. "All around he was quite a guy: focused, detailed and uncompromising on some things and a softy with a heart of gold with other things," Kerry said. Independent to the end though he could no longer eat the wonderful foods he so loved, Gord died, leaving a legacy that continues to stand on the banks of the Nith River. It's a testament to a man with unusual foresight and unwavering drive. Daughter Leslie, who now runs The Waterloo, concluded "he was definitely a visionary." ______________ ELKEER, Wiggo Gordon February 05, 2010 Location: Kitchener ELKEER, Wiggo Gordon Passed peacefully on Friday, February 5, 2010 at Freeport Health Centre of the Grand River Hospital, Kitchener. Gord was born 75 years ago in Camrose, Alberta a son of Peter and Minka Elkeer. Gord served 23 years with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and was the owner of the Waterlot Restaurant and Inn in New Hamburg for the past 35 years. Gord was a member of the New Hamburg Board of Trade and Shriners International. Dear father of Leslie Elkeer and partner Frank Hubert, Christopher and wife Valerie Elkeer and sadly missed by grandchildren Chantelle, Alyssa and Alexander all of New Hamburg. According to Gord's wishes, cremation has taken place and burial will follow at a later date at Delmer Cemetery in Tillsonburg, Ontario. All are welcome to join the family to celebrate and remember Gord's life at an open house to be held at The Waterlot Restaurant, 17 Huron St., New Hamburg on Sunday February 21, 2010 from 2-6 p.m. As expressions of sympathy donations may be made to the New Hamburg Firefighters Association, Sick Kids Foundation, or Grand River Regional Cancer Centre by contacting Mark Jutzi Funeral Home , New Hamburg who assisted with arrangements. Online condolences and donation information at: www.markjutzifuneralhomes.ca The Waterloo Region Record 5 Feb 2010

  
  

• Sources

  [S602] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - The Waterloo Region Record (March 2008- ), A man who went after what he wanted - February 23, 2010.

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 11 Oct 1934 - Camrose, , Alberta, Canada Died - Cause: esophageal cancer - 5 Feb 2010 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth