Gord Downie, Lead Singer of The Tragically Hip, Dead at 53 A statement on the band's website said he died Tuesday night with his children and family close by Gord was married to his long-term girlfriend, Laura Leigh Usher. Before he became a rock star, Gord Downie was a typical high school student in Kingston. Gord Downie, who made himself part of Canada's national identity with songs about hockey and small towns as lead singer and songwriter of iconic rock band The Tragically Hip, has died at … READ MORE: The brain cancer that took Gord Downie’s life He died Tuesday night surrounded by his children and family, according to a statement on the band’s website. Downie was married to Laura Leigh Usher, herself a cancer survivor. And for fans, there is plenty of material to use to celebrate the life of Gord Downie. "Last night Gord quietly passed away with his beloved children and family close by," the Tragically Hip said in a statement. The couple welcomed four children. UPDATE: Gord Downie passed away on Oct. 17, 2017. His legacy, messages of hope, and powerful calls to action live on. Langlois would know. In October of 2017, Gord Downie passed away with his children and family close by. Like my dad and I, Downie and his children may have said and done things that hurt one another, but I hope for their sake (much like with me), that the final words exchanged between them and their father brought them reconciliation, eternal love, and a lasting sense of peace. Not only is he the father of Tragically Hip guitarist Paul Langlois, he also was a gym teacher at Kingston Collegiate and Vocational […] He started the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund. It is a memory box, a definitive artifact Downie’s child will be able to revisit and cherish for eternity. The Downie Family. Samantha Nutt: Gifted and generous, Gord Downie proved cynicism does not always prevail Agreeing to perform for free at benefit concert, Gord Downie was instrumental in launching War Child … Downie and Usher separated sometime before Downie's cancer diagnosis. Gord Downie passed away October 17 th, surrounded by friends and family. In the wake of his diagnosis with glioblastoma, Downie became a symbol of perseverance in the face of his mortality. His legacy, messages of hope, and powerful calls to action live on. “Last night, Gord … Gord Downie was the lead singer of The Tragically Hip, a band that has been a part of the Canadian music fabric for over 30 years. Brad Wheeler Published October 18, 2017 Updated October 18, 2017 TORONTO (AP) — Gord Downie, who made himself part of Canada's national identity with songs about hockey and small towns as lead singer and songwriter of … Gord Downie, the lead singer and lyricist of the iconic Canadian rock band the Tragically Hip, announced this morning he has terminal brain cancer, but still plans to … For those of you who have no clue who Gord Downie is, you are likely either not Canadian, or were born after the 90s. Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip performs at their last ever concert to their hometown crowd in Kingston on Aug. 20, 2016. Gord knew this day was coming ... Love you forever Gord. Downie released his multimedia project ‘Secret Path’ last year to tell the story of 12-year-old Chanie Wenjack, a child who died of exposure and hunger in 1966 after he ran away from the Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School in Kenora, Ont. As of this writing, his cause of death has not been announced but it’s safe to assume that the brain tumor finally took him. She was also suffered from breast cancer but survived. Album Secret Path. Gord Downie is the front man for the iconic Canadian band, The Tragically Hip.This band lives in the hearts of millions of Canadians and they are something we can basically call our own, as for some unknown reason they never really made it big … View Gord Downie steps on to the stage to perform in Toronto, Oct. 21, 2016. "Gord … Gord Downie has passed away at the age of 53. “The Stranger” is the first full chapter and song of The Secret Path. Career The Tragically Hip. ... A video posted by Lewis on YouTube in October shows three children playing hide-and-seek in the house. Downie lost his battle against brain cancer on Tuesday night "with his beloved children and family close by.". Downie, the lead singer of the Tragically Hip was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer back in May 2016. “Chanie haunts me. In 1984, Downie formed the Tragically Hip with, Rodents's members, Rob Baker and Gord Sinclair, another younger, Kingston Collegiate and Vocational Institute alumni, Johnny Fay, and saxophonist Davis Manning. Secret Path is a ten song album by Gord Downie with a graphic novel by Jeff Lemire that tells the story of Chanie Wenjack, a twelve year-old boy who died fifty years ago on October 22, 1966, in flight from the Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School near Kenora, Ontario, trying to walk over 400 miles home to the family he was taken from. Gord played goalie for Amherstview’s hockey team, which won a provincial B-level championship. Gord Downie, The Tragically Hip’s frontman has just sold his Riverdale home for a mean $2,230,000. In October of 2017, Gord Downie passed away with his children and family close by. Mike Downie says his brother was able to reach so many more Canadians with the story because of his audience and the trust they had in him, but the work of the Fund is to keep the conversation going into future—to learn about Wenjack and the estimated 150,000 Indigenous children sent to residential schools as well as to support Indigenous people and their culture in … They have four children. Gord Downie Children 2-year-old ‘Mini Gord Downie’ raises $500 for Sunnybrook Hospital brain cancer research After turning into a viral sensation overnight, "Mini Gord Downie" is giving back. Gord Downie on Chanie Wenjack: ... “All of those governments, and all of those churches, for all of those years, misused themselves,” Downie said. Last night Gord quietly passed away with his beloved children and family close by. Gord Downie, singer in beloved Canadian rock band the Tragically Hip, has died at age 53 from glioblastoma, ... Gord was the fourth of five children: older siblings Mike, Charlyn and Paula, and younger brother Patrick. Gordon Edgar Downie (February 6, 1964 - October 17, 2017) was a Canadian poet, singer/songwriter, rock musician, and occasional actor. Gord Downie. 4. Gord has dedicated his legacy to creating lasting, positive change in Canada; we are committed to making Gord proud as he begins to walk down this new path in his journey. Originally, the band covered popular British rock songs from the 1960s. A statement on the band's website said he died Tuesday night "with his beloved children and family close by." Gord Downie, the lead singer for the beloved Canadian alt-rock band the Tragically Hip, died Tuesday at the age of 53.The cause was terminal brain cancer. Swing Set Lyrics [Intro] ... Like many other indigenous children before … Popular Gord Downie … In 1986, Manning left the band as guitarist-vocalist Paul Langlois joined. Rather Bridle Path or Sunnybrook — this legendary vocalist chose Riverdale over Toronto’s most lavish neighborhoods, because what’s more Canadiana about Riverdale? Yikes, talk about Toronto Real Estate. Gord Downie, who made himself part of Canada's national identity with songs about hockey and small towns as lead singer and songwriter of iconic rock band The Tragically Hip, has died at … After several years of their marital relationship, the dup started having problems in their relationship which created a huge difference in them. Tragically Hip singer Gord Downie, diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor, offers an affecting album with Broken Social Scene's Kevin Drew about the plight of Canada's indigenous population. Gord Downie Married, Wife, Children, Affairs. Gord Downie, who made himself part of Canada's national identity with songs about hockey and small towns as lead singer and songwriter of iconic rock band The Tragically Hip, has died at age 53 after a battle with brain cancer. 1 Life 1.1 Youth 1.2 Career 1.3 Death 2 Writing 3 Recognition 3.1 In popular culture 4 Publications 4.1 Poetry 4.2 Translated 5 Audio / video 5.1 Studio albums 5.2 Compilations 6 See also 7 References 8 External links Downie was … “He was very quiet, a shy kind of kid, athletic though,” said Adrian Langlois. “They hurt many children. Gord has dedicated his legacy to creating lasting, positive change in Canada; we are committed to making Gord proud as he begins to walk down this new path in his journey. Their evolving rock sound coupled with Gord’s storytelling style connected with and reflected the culture of Canada and “The Hip” became the quintessential Canadian band over their 30+ years making music. Gord Downie, of The Tragically Hip, sells his east end home. Downie was appointed to the Order of Canada on 21 June 2017 in recognition of leadership in Indigenous issues. Produced by Kevin Drew & Dave Hamelin.