Gordon was not only my favorite second cousin but I considered him a true friend. Although he was extremely well educated and had a photographic mind he never displayed his superior knowledge and was always very down to earth with everyone you spoke with. He traveled a lot and hitchhiked across Canada more than once, which didn’t please his mother and gave her many sleepless nights. His stampede breakfasts and his backyard hockey rink will be greatly missed by all his many friends. We will all miss you Gordon and feel very fortunate to have known you.

Contributing is such meaningful ways and truly sounds to have encouraged his family to enjoy and take pleasure in life, balancing the flow of giving and receiving.

Sincerest condolences for your loss,

Blessings,

Angelica Miller

Sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr Mack.

I had the pleasure of having Mr Mack as a math teacher at William Aberhart for grade 11 and 12. As a kind, motivating an enthusiastic teacher he found a way of making math enjoyable and rememberable. Most special of all was his ability to get to know his students and remember details about them years after graduation. He is very fondly remembered.

Sincerely,

Yolanda Groenewoud

Sincere condolences to the family of Gordon Mack. Gordon and Mary were the epitome of the word neighbour when we lived across the street from them on Cherokee Drive for 17 years. Their pancake breakfasts during Stampede week and the ice rinks in the back yard were neighbourhood events that made memories for us all.

Sincerely,

Muriel and Bill Dais

Turner Valley, Alberta

Mere words can not express the deep sorrow I feel knowing that my “best friend” has left us…….I have benefited from his caring support for over 67 years….My sincere love and condolences to all of the family….There will never be another Gordon Mack. He was one-in-a-million and will be forever missed

I had the astronomical good fortune and joy to have Mr. Mack as my math teacher at William Aberhart High School all my three years there. That was an experience I have treasured ever since and will treasure forever. He was a magnificent man.

I knew even then that Mr. Mack was a spectacular teacher, and I didn’t think I could ever regard him more highly than I already did, but as the decades have rolled by, his stature as a teacher has risen higher and higher in my realizations. He was a Michelangelo of a teacher–a breathtaking master and artist who could explain anything clearly, simply and beautifully, and who would deliver enormous inspiration as he poetically described math to us with awe.

In the classroom he shone radiantly when sharing with us the wonders he saw in math. That was something I didn’t know was possible concerning math until I saw it happen before my eyes in Mr. Mack! We were enveloped in his wonder as he told intriguing stories and talked passionately about things such as Greek mathematician Archimedes’ discovery about volume, reputedly while Archimedes was having a bath. Mr. Mack similarly waxed eloquent about Pythagoras and the Pythagorean Theorem. He also rhapsodized about the Golden Mean or Ratio (1.6:1), which is the beautiful proportion first used by the Greeks of antiquity and adopted by many people in many cultures since then–for creating pleasing works of art, architecture, and other things. Whenever I catch sight of that proportion, I think of Mr. Mack with a smile.

Mr. Mack’s classroom was always a warm and wonderful place to be. He had enormous care for each of us. We felt it like sunbeams. He tailored his teaching approach to every one of us so that he asked the toughest questions only of the geniuses in the class, while gallantly preserving the honor of those not as gifted in math (and kindly preventing their discouragement), by carefully asking questions that they could handle. Yet he skillfully always challenged all of us to go further and get better. He also swiftly diagnosed where any of us had problems, and rooted those out so that we could succeed.

Always he treated us with the greatest respect. He was a total gentleman, full of dignity and class.

Mr. Mack also had a delightful sense of humor. He would crack jokes and tease us in his gentle, good-natured way. His classroom was a happy classroom that often rang with laughter.

He always made things fascinating and fun. For example, I remember him striding rapidly into the classroom one day at the start of class and catching us all by surprise when–with no warning–he threw three brightly painted styrofoam balls at three of the boys in the class. Startled, they caught the balls by reflex just in time. We all stared at Mr. Mack astonished. “Three points define a plane!” he boomed to the class. He went on to tell us that this geometric truth was why milking stools and camera tripods had three legs. Their three legs created only one plane, he said, which meant that they stood with stability instead of rocking. In ways like that he always tried to show us that math was richly useful in life, not a dusty abstract subject.

One of the greatest lessons he taught in his classroom was the discipline of being highly methodical and orderly in solving a math problem. We of course had to do all math operations of a problem in the correct order, but he also taught us to show each step of our work meticulously. He placed enormous emphasis on that. I have realized since then that what he was really teaching us was orderly thinking. I took that disciplined practice into every other situation of problem solving in my other classes during high school and my education beyond, as well as into the rest of my life. In my mind’s eye I can still see him at the chalkboard, showing us how to solve algebraic equations step by step in his wonderfully orderly way. (And I’ve often wished through the years that I could go back in time and experience him and his teaching with my classmates again.) He always explained the why of everything and tried to make us understand how each step made sense. And I can still hear his words in his voice: “Show your work!” All these many years later I still want to make him proud when I figure out something on paper, by proceeding in his signature orderly way.

Mr. Mack was an extraordinary teacher and an extraordinary man. In his classroom he was like the conductor of a symphony, pulling the best out of each of us, and creating magnificent music.

To his children, grandchildren, other family members and friends, I wish that you could have been an unseen presence in his classroom, to watch this world-class teacher wielding his art with supreme and wondrous skill, and bestowing affection and love on his students. His gift and genius for teaching were colossal. He belongs among the best in every field down through the ages.

May the priceless memories you have of him, of his love and of the lessons he has taught you be treasures that encourage you for the rest of your days. I hope that my words and the words of others here have given you some sense of the stunning impact Mr. Mack had on his many students, and on the other people whose lives he touched. May this be a comfort to you.

A few years ago after losing my father and realizing that all too often we do not tell people enough how much they have meant to us, I tracked down Mr. Mack and tried to express to him what a wonderful teacher and person he had been and how much he meant to me–and to the other students who had been in my math classes. When I had last seen him some 30 years prior, I had been a teenager, and teenagers are not usually good at realizing such things or expressing them. They generally don’t say anything at all about such things! As I spoke to Mr. Mack that day three decades later, it was still impossible to put into words fully for him how profoundly he had influenced me and enriched my life, how much I admired him, and how dear he was to me, but I tried my best. He was very happy. I thought you might like to know that he got to see in me the harvest of the special seeds he had planted in me many years before.

He will forever be one of the heros in my heart.

Deepest sympathy on the passing of a great man. An amazing and most venerable family patriarch for the Mack clan, who will be greatly missed by all..

He was one of my favourite teachers in school and I was never even in his class. Just talking to him in the hall was special. I’ll be out of town on the 20th, but there in spirit.

Growing up on Cherokee Drive, there wasn’t a more generous family than the Macks. Endless back yard hockey games and chess and ping pin games with Stewie were a huge part of growing up. And who could ever forget the hushed cries of, “MRS. MACK!” whenever a naughty word was spoken in the back yard.

Mr. and Mrs. Mack welcomed us kids always. Although I never had Mr. Mack as a teacher, he was a kind and gentle neighbour; it was very sad to hear of his passing. Condolences to the family. Your Dad will leave a lot of emptiness behind, but it will be space that you can fill with good memories.

Frank and I send our sincerest condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Frank and Rose Spadafora

My thoughts are with you all; I am disappointed that I won’t be able to make the memorial on July 20th.

Thinking of you all with a kind and caring thoughts I have known Gordon for a long time a great great guy

What a surprise when I received this notice about about your Dad ” Mr Mack. I had him as a grade eight/nine teacher at Col Walker. Everybody loved him. I was among the grade nine students he took the Ghost Dam Youth Hostel for a weekend. He was a brave man. I still have memories of our time there. He was certainly one my favourite teachers. It was so nice to read of the full rich life he lived & especially about the Grandson saying” why can’t all old people be like my Grandpa”.

Col. Walker 1951-1953

Such respect for this wonderful man. My condolences to his family.

Even though we all knew his time was coming, I still can’t believe Mr. Mack is no longer with us.

Mr. Mack was a fine teacher and a good man in every way. He was kind, humorous, wise and always seemed interested in whatever it was we were up to. He seemed to know something about just about everything. Our family very fortunately moved into the house next door on Cherokee Dr. in summer, 1972. We’ve been friends ever since. I became good friends with his son Stewart. I played in most of the 44 Christmas Day hockey games at the Macks’ since that first summer. Countless

times I hopped over the fence between our backyards to play volleyball or basketball in the summer and hockey in the winter. Before long, when I visited I’d just tap on the door and walk in. They were that kind of good neighbours. The people who visited the Macks’ and sat around talking in his living room, kitchen, rec room, carport and yard must number in the hundreds. Most of our other neighbors on the street I got to know I met the first time at the Macks’.

Mr. Mack taught me Math 30 and I remember classmates who said they wouldn’t gotten through that course but for him.

At my Christmas and Stampede breakfast visits the past few years, Mr. Mack always had time to sit and chat with me. His mind was still there. I still remember our conversation last Christmas.

Tall skinny kid, I’ll miss your spirit, warmth and wisdom. I know his spirit has passed on to his children, grandchildren and great grandchild and you have my sincerest sympathy in this difficult time. I look forward to seeing you and many others July 20.

Mr. Mack taught me Math 10 at Central High. I have fond memories of him from that time and even when I became a teacher and encountered him he was always Mr. Mack. I never knew him as Gordon. During my teaching career I worked with his son Dave (Big Mack). I hope Mr. Mack had a good run during his 97 years. “It’s not what you take when you leave this world behind you, it’s what you leave behind you when you go.” Evidently Mr. Mack left a lot of friends and good memories.

Sad to hear of the passing of your dad, grandpa, friend. While I never had Mr. Mack for math I do remember seeing him in the halls of Abe. Many years later I was fortunate enough to become friends with Stuart. I took figure skating with Bird. Much later I was privelaged to work with Dave ,who must have gotten the gift of teaching from his Dad. My thoughts go out to all of the family at this very sad time.

Heather Stinn

Jaxon and I send you our sincerest condolences. Although I was only able to meet Gordon a few times, I remember his vivacity and his wonderful personality. I truly believe that everyone in the family was blessed to have him touch their lives. We send our love and prayers to each and every one of your family members.

Well, the world is a bit less bright now that Mr. Mack is no longer among us. I am so very grateful that I got the chance to spend some time with him last year. We had many great conversations and poetry lessons. Saturday salons and apple sauce prep (supervised by Mr. Mack of course). Disagreed over the proper consistency of oatmeal but if neither of us got the final Jeopardy answer, we agreed that it was a stupid question.

Mr. Mack usually let me fill in a few crossword answers, then he’d finish it off by Sunday. He made me feel quite smart and interesting. I think he did that with most people.

Mr. Mack’s passing has made me very sad. My heartfelt condolences go out to the entire amazing Mack clan. You do him proud, every single one of you.

mr Mack was an astonishingly good teacher who instilled a love of maths and a self confidence so strong and a disdain for the ordinary ( if someone ever asks you to pick a number between one and ten, then in honour of mr Mack be sure you don’t pick a boring integer). I truly believe one of the luckiest things in my life was having him as a teacher – and I only wish I’d looked him up and told him that. My condolences to his family.

I remember Mr. Mack’s math classes, even after 40 years! He clearly had a positive effect on a lot of people and I feel blessed to have known him, even if only for a short time.

I am happy that he enjoyed such a long life – 97 Years Young!!

My condolences to the family – I am sure you all have lots of wonderful memories of a wonderful man.

If you are interested, messages are coming in to “Abe 75 nudge”. I sent you some but they keep coming to the website. That is just one year of students. Mr.Mack was very loved by his students.

Very few people are true teachers and Gordon was that. He had a gift and affected so many lives positively.

My heartfelt condolences to Mr. Mack’s family during this time of sorrow. You’re in my thoughts during these difficult times. Mr. Mack was my math teacher at William Aberhart High School in 1973. I have found him to be a very good man. I remember his good sense of humour, his magnifying glass and his pleasant personality to this day. He will be sadly missed by all.

My condolences to the Mack family. It was an honour to have known and met your father Gordon. I have great memories of him and your Mom as well Blessings to your families.

I loved Mr Mack’s classes. He was such an excellent teacher. He taught me so much. But more than that, he was more than willing to bend the rules when it made sense. As much as I liked his classes, I skipped a lot of them. I was off at the physics department at the UofC, which he was thrilled by. If not for his teaching skill and kindness, my life would have been very different.

Happy trails, Mr Mack.

I feel wonderfully fortunate to have had Mr. Mack for 3 years of high school Math (even though I had to beg and be squeezed into an overly-full class for Math 30). I never knew someone could be in love with a subject like Math, but he was. I’ll always remember him saying “this is a beautiful equation.” I hadn’t known that equations could come in beautiful. Our first day of Math 10 he had us pick a number between 1 and 10. He then had us use that number to calculate an answer (“now, add 3, multiply by 9…” that sort of thing). Then he told us that the answer was the number of students that came through the door and he’d made up the equation on the spot. Way to start the year with a bang! He put bonus questions on exams so you could actually get more than 100%. He talked about possible 1 and 2 dimensional universes cutting straight through our classroom and how we would never be able to perceive them. He was fair, fascinating and able to simplify complex processes so that they seemed obvious. He was my most amazing teacher, by far (and I’ve some good ones). I still use his name as a password verifier, in answer to: who was the best teacher you’ve ever had? Good-bye Mr. Mack. Thanks for all you gave to all who knew you. Enjoy your special place in heaven!

The ever present thunk thunk of pucks and balls hitting our common fence was the sound I grew up with. The Macks are some of the kindest, and most fun people I’ve ever known and we were blessed to have them as neighbors. The door was always open and something happening over there. My condolences to all of you, He was a fine man and an inspiration to know.

Please accept our heartfelt condolences. Gordon and I worked together at William Aberhart High School during the “70’s”, during which time he convinced me that I really needed his horse “Friday”, to graze our acreage (the kids really enjoyed good old Friday). Gordon was a great guy, and a very professional guy who always had a smile for everyone.

Bill and Shirley Tajcnar

These are all comments from Facebook from Abe75. Many many others just put unhappy faces.

Bev Terriff Simpson Mr.Mack had a huge impact on my life and was one of my mother’s best friends. I mourn his loss but remember all the lives he affected positively.

Doug Van Den Brink He was a great teacher and a nice, nice man. I dated Roberta for a bit and even though I’m sure he hoped against hope she wouldn’t end up with a guy who had to count on his fingers he was always very kind and supportive. Very nice memories of a very nice man.

Like · Reply · 3 · 12 hrs

Chris Bannard If I had Mr. Mack for all of my high school math classes I would have excelled. I did not and math was not and is not a favorite for me.

Like · Reply · 11 hrs

Wynn Feilde I had him all 3 years. My fave. The memories of the yardstick and the use of names of all the old Greek mathematicians are strong memories

Like · Reply · 1 · 10 hrs

Chris Bannard Sometimes I need to hit edit before I post. What I really wanted to say was that our teachers make such a difference in the way we respond to various subjects. Between Mrs. Terriff and Mr. Mack we had outstanding teachers and I was unlucky enough to only have one of them and for only one year. It really showed in both my marks and my approach to math.

Like · Reply · 3 · 10 hrs

Norm Lewis Loved the guy. Best teacher. Still remember him playing basketball in Teachers vs. Studetnt.

Like · Reply · Yesterday at 8:55pm · Edited

Gail Fawley Great teacher. I always remember him when I see a yardstick.

Like · Reply · Yesterday at 8:54pm

Gail Fawley …and the number 17

Like · Reply · Yesterday at 8:55pm

Jim Oliver I remember that yard stick too! Mr.Mack sure enjoyed a long life on this earth! Condolences to his family.

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May your memories of your father be a comfort as you mourn his passing.

Dave and Shauna Williams

Our deepest condolences to the family & friends of Mr. Gordon Mack.

It was always a pleasure to see him in our office. He will be sadly missed.

From all of us at the Academy Hearing Centres.

I’m so sorry for your loss.

I have so many fond memories of being “the little kid from across the street” as Mr. Mack used to call me. No kid could ask for a better neighbor. He taught me how to skate in the backyard rink. Always had the best Halloween candy. Always willing to give a helping hand to his neighbors.

Thanks Mr. Mack for all the memories

Eric Kauffmann

I had Mr.Mack for a teacher for 3 years at Aberhart. He affected my life profoundly. He had a unique way of presenting concepts so that students would actually understand the concept rather than just learning to do it mechanically. He also taught my brother and sister and knew my mother well so sometimes when he would be going down the aisles of the classroom calling on kids to answer a question, he would go through all then finally say “Whatever Terriff you are – I’m talking to you.” He was a very popular teacher. He was also one of my mother’s best friends (she was also a math teacher at Abe). My condolences. I hope it helps a bit to know how many lives he affected positively. Hearing of his death has left me rather numb – he was such a great teacher.

So sorry to hear of his passing! Absolutely, the BEST teacher I ever had! Inspired a love for Math, which was passed down to our kids ( one of whom has degrees in the subject!) He inspired me to be the best, most understanding and accommodating teacher I could be in the 30+ years I spent in the profession. Truly, one of a kind. There is a special place in heaven for teachers and people like you, Mr. Mack!

My sincere deepest sympathy to the Mack family regarding the

passing of Mr. Mack, as I called him. I will miss him so very much,

what a great privilege and honor it was to spend time with Mr. Mack during the week and at his famous coffee party’s . A true

gentleman in many ways, a sincere friend and someone to truly look up to and admire. I wish there were more Mr. Macks in the world, what a wonderful place it would truly be! God Bless you all during this difficult time, may you all find comfort in God’s LOVE

Respectful Mr. Keith Iver Guidi

Deepest condolences.

Mr. Mack was more than just a neighbor. He was a community leader, inspiration, and practically family. I couldn’t have grown up beside a kinder, gentler neighbor who always created a sense of welcome within his home.

Cannot come up with words to convey how suddenly empty the world seems upon learning of his passing.

Thinking of you all during this sad time and looking forward to seeing you at the celebration of his life!