By John McFadden
KAWARTHA LAKES-Family, friends and the policing community all across the Kawarthas and beyond are all continuing to mourn the death of Arthur Browning, known by most as “Gord.” A police officer for some three decades, Browning passed away at Lindsay’s Ross Memorial Hospital on April 2.
His smiling face will be missed by those who encountered him on or off the job. The one-time sergeant was also the patriarch of a very large family. Browning, a father of five children also leaves behind seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Flags at the Kawartha Lakes Police Service Station were placed at half-mast in his honour.
Kawartha 411 reached out to Mark Mitchell, Chief of Police for the City of Kawartha Lakes, for his thoughts on Gord’s passing. He said that most people who met Browning him will never forget him and that his legacy is secure.
“He was a giant of a man with a commanding physical presence, but with a very relaxed and friendly demeanour,” Mitchell stated in an email. “Gord was a very popular officer in town. Completing a ‘beat’ on foot patrol downtown always took longer when you were with Gord because he knew everyone and they all wanted to stop and chat with him. Gord had some personal struggles later in life and he spoke openly about them. I spoke with him earlier this year and he wanted to offer his services to speak about his own experiences and help to educate others. He was a very caring and generous person and that was reflected in his service as a police officer.”
Gord’s close friend Jeff R. Smith echoed some of the chief’s sentiments on Facebook and added more of his own.
“What do you say about a man who wore so many hats in life? He was a mentor, a father figure, a teacher and most of all my best friend,” Smith wrote. “I met this great man 37 years ago in a Tim Hortons parking lot and that became a lifelong friendship. He even risked his own career at one point to stand behind me. I would not be a pilot without your love, patience, support and cheerleading for me. You touched so many lives in such a positive way.”
Gary Fradsham commented, “Rest in peace Gord Browning…you were a great cop, and one hell of a guy”
Browning’s funeral was held in Lindsay on April 8. The family has asked that donations to the charity of your choice in Gord’s name be made by cheque through Mackey Funeral Home.
