Gordon Morton

Gordon George Morton, aged 83, passed away on Wednesday, September 25th, 2024 surrounded by friends and family at the American Fork Hospital. 

Of the hundreds of welcome receptions Gordon George Morton attended in his life, the one he entered last Wednesday evening was sure to be the grandest. He was back baby! Breathing deeply without coughing. Two perfectly healthy knees. One could imagine him mixing and mingling with Gabriella by his side, trying to explain Chat GPT to Winston Churchill and Mother Teresa. “My grand kids have robot servants that do their homework! Really!” 

Gordon’s final days on earth were slower paced than most. His routine was still familiar. He ran some errands, visited with family, discussed the upcoming elections and held his wife Audrey’s hand. He just moved slower. He always held Audrey’s hand, but he seemed to hold it more often in his final weeks. As if he was afraid to let her go. 

Gordon lived an inspired life of impossible optimism. He was a businessman, ecclesiastical leader, husband, friend, mentor, son, brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and more. 

In every role, he challenged people to improve themselves and he feared no social situation. Ever. 

He’d happily address any group, big or small, and with any conversation, you would inevitably hear a quote (or five). From Helen Keller to Sir Isaac Newton, his quote library was bottomless.

“Quote G.O.A.T.”? Gordon George Morton. No debate. Period. End of story. 

He went by many names depending on how you knew him. He was Nonno, Bishop, Papa, Papa G, Pops, Poopster, Tenacious G and—in his final years—“Grandpa Great”. He loved them all. (Except maybe “Poopster.” Mike was responsible for that one.)

 Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Gordon Douglas Morton and Mary Christine Davis, Gordon was raised an “Army Brat” with his younger siblings, Brenda and Robert. They lived in various locations across Canada, including Shilo, Manitoba and Vancouver, BC. 

In his 20s, Gordon met Gabriella Stefanini in Toronto. They dated, fell madly in love, and were married in 1966. Together they had five children: Gordon (Rachel), Joe (Caryn), David (Celine), Michael (Annette) and Daniela. 

Working for an America Motors dealership, Gordon befriended a man named George Stewart. Stewart became influential in introducing Gordon and Gabriella to The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints. They converted from Catholicism in the early 70s and became active members of the LDS faith. 

During this time Gordon and Gabriella became interested in the emerging health and nutrition industry and in the mid 70’s Gordon was hired to start the Canadian division for a young Utah company called Nature’s Sunshine Products. 

NSP, Canada was established in the Morton family basement and began to expand as wellness trends grew. The family’s passion for health and wellness would go on to directly, and indirectly, influence countless lives around the world. It was during these years Gordon met a young executive, Dwayne Dyer, who would become a lifelong business associate and friend. 

Gordon’s career continued to grow over the years as he held key positions in several international nutrition companies. In 2002, Gordon joined XANGO, LLC for what he announced would be his “swan song” in business. Armed with a lifetime of industry knowledge he grew a large international sales organization that took him to all parts of the globe. He made friendships that endured to his final days. 

A lot happened in the final chapters of Gordon’s life, and it’s hard to summarize without missing something, but we’ll try our best…

 On June 25, 2017, Gordon lost his beloved Gabriella to a stroke. 

Enter a period of great sadness for Gordon. He missed Gabri. A lot. In fact, he placed a framed photo on her on a chair at the kitchen table and would talk to “her” while he ate. A spark left his eyes that year. 

He began making trips to his hometown of Halifax. He ate fish and chips, spent priceless time with his sister, Brenda, drove around in his brother’s 57 Chevy Truck, and visited his childhood stomping grounds. Peggy’s Cove, Lunenburg, Bridgewater, etc. 

Eventually, the clouds began to part and Gordon’s spark began to resurface. As if by magic, relatives were discovered. Blair, Beverly, Larry, Lionel and Janice provided powerful reminders that life can deliver beautiful “winks” even in the golden years. (Gratitude Wheatons). 

Suddenly Papa G was back baby…again! He started flying to Toronto to “date” an old family friend, Audrey Vodi Quatrale—she too had lost her spouse of many years. Gordon and Audrey became an item and were married shortly after. As incredulous as it sounds, the families were once neighbors in Brampton in the early 70s. Sherri-Lee and Lorri-Sue overlapped Gordon Jr. (Gordie) at Folkstone Elementary School. Aimee-Lynn was lifelong friends with Caryn Morton. And little Roseanne? Well, let’s just say Roseanne, and husband Clayton, left the most tender imprint on both families in Gordon’s final years. 

2020/2021 brought cancer to Gordon. It also brought covid to humanity. It was just a horrible buzz-kill for everyone—so let’s just skip over this period. [Fast forward.] 

After many ups and downs, Gordon beat cancer. It was a miracle. Life delivered a beautiful window of light and Gordon and Audrey were determined to make the most of it. Road trips to St. George, graduations, Thanksgivings, Christmases, weddings, grand children, great-grand children, concerts, water aerobics, birthday parties, movie releases, Sunday dinners, rocking chairs, sunsets, fireworks, etc. La Bella Vita. 

So, what words did Gordon George Morton deliver when leaving “this mortal coil”? He didn’t have to. His entire life, he “found” the words through his favorite quotes. With everybody he interacted with, he shared those quotes. Whatever he felt was needed in the moment he supplemented with a quote. He added clarity to conversations, context to announcements and insights to life.

Thank you Papa G. (Baci a Mamma G.)

“Steady as she goes. Don’t take it personally. This too shall pass.” 

“Onward and Upward”

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 4, 2024, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel, 1120 North 150 West, American Fork, Utah. Viewings will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at Wheeler & Sundberg Funeral Home, 495 South State Street, Orem, Utah, and on Friday, October 4, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. before the services at the church. Burial will be held at Orem City Cemetery. 

Condolences may be expressed to the family on this page. 

For those unable to attend the services they will be streamed starting at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 4, 2024, via Facebook Live at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/sundbergolpinfuneralhome/videos/1910006686178892