Allan Gidge

In his 90th year and only eight months after her death, Allan John Gidge has been reunited with his late wife Mildred, his parents Obadiah and Olive (Pelley-Anstey) Gidge and all those he knew and loved in this life in the promised life eternal.

         Allan was born into a blended family of Anstey and Gidge siblings from his parents’ previous marriages, and was the older brother of Mackenzie and Reece.  Raised in Fairbanks on New World Island, he found his way to Merritt’s Harbour where he married Mildred Powell on February 10, 1959. 

         Allan moved in with Mildred and her widowed mother Helen, who he cherished, as they made their family home and raised their boys, Billy and Danny.  After working in the lumber words for many years as a young man, Allan began carpenter work throughout the island part of the province, especially in the Corner Brook area and into Labrador West, heading off for long stints to wherever the work may be to provide for his family.  He was only able to do so with Mildred very capably managing the household, family finances and care of the boys in his absences.  He retired from his working career on the Bull Arm site.

         Raised in the faith and holding to it throughout his life, Allan valued his church and helped to clear the land for the new church at Newville in the early 1990s.  He may never have assumed the official leadership roles but in his steady, faithful way, supported the life and work of Christ’s church always.  He lived the love of God in his friendships and the love he shared with his family, always having time for renovation projects with his sons or to hear of the latest activities of his beloved grandchildren.  Weekly telephone calls from Stephen “on the mainland,” supply runs and meals shared even in the last two weeks at Helen, his “Big Girl, and Joshua’s and the nightly goodnight chat with “Pop’s Little Girl” Norah gave him joy even as much of the joy of life was fading near the end.

         One of the unofficial mayors of Merritt’s Harbour, Allan lived a long and healthy life and gathered many friends along the way.  After a severe health emergency in December of 2018, Allan miraculously recovered but it meant a move into care in Gander for he and Mildred.  His heart never left New World Island.  He was courageous and faithful even through the trial of  Covid lockdowns and Mildred’s dementia and he loved deeply until her end.  In May, a little of his spirit went with her and he longed to be with her ever since.  Though we are thankful for the years with him and will miss him keenly, we are rejoicing that the hope that they both held to in this life for the life to come is now their reality - together hand in hand. 

         Sadly, and often with a profound sense of loneliness, Allan outlived so many of his friends and loved ones but the staff of Golden Years Estates, Gander, and his dear friend Allister’s phone calls and the much appreciated visits from those family and friends who continued to care for him were a lifeline for him in recent years and months.

         Allan was predeceased by his parents Obadiah and Olive Gidge, his parents-in-law Stephen and Helen Powell, all of his siblings, daughter-in-law Matilda, most of the extended Gidge and Powell family in-laws, and many loved ones and friends.

         Left with wonderful memories are sons Bill (Ardena) and Dan (Paula), grandchildren Helen (Joshua) Rideout, Stephen (Brianna Bredin), Norah, sister-in-law Marie Gidge, Great Grandchild Rideout expected in July, extended family and friends and his beloved church family. 

Well done, thou good and faithful servant, well done.

-Matthew 25: 21

Public visitation will take place on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at New World Island Funeral Home, Summerford, from 2-4 p.m. Funeral service will take place on Sunday, January 15, 2023 from New World Island East Central United Church, Newville, at 2 p.m.

Donations to New World Island East Central United Church.