Jordan "Jordie" Bruce York

Jordie (Jordan Bruce) York passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones on Monday, 27th January, at the Rockyview Hospital, Calgary.  Now free from the torments of MS, his spirit lives on and there is no doubt he is once again singing, playing his guitar and making new friends.

Born in Calgary on July 6th, 1948 to Donald and Opal York and is survived by his loving and devoted wife Carol; daughter Maggie (Jason) Doyle; grandchildren Kescia, Brenlan and Calla; brother Randy (Pam) York, sister April (Gordon) Nottell; nieces Teresa (Don), Amber (Derek), Jessica (Alex), nephew Russell, great nephews and numerous in-laws.

Jordie was known as a patient and loving mentor, a loyal and trusted friend, a talented musician, singer and teacher.  A gifted conversationalist with a great sense of fun and humor.  He retained a wealth of knowledge and loved to debate with solid values and an open mind.  Jordie breathed life and soul into any room.

At the early age of five Jordie started singing and persuaded his parents to buy him his first guitar at age eight so that he could accompany himself.   At 11, he was singing and playing lead guitar in and around Calgary and at 15 he turned professional when he formed the 14-piece Vancouver-based “NEW BREED” which toured Canada and the US. West Coast.  In 1968 he moved to Edmonton and joined “COLOURED RAIN”, a year later he joined “BARRY ALLEN and CHEYANNE WINTER” and then spent 3 years with ‘FAMILY PORTRAIT’ which formed part of the Canadian/US road show of “JESUS CHRIST SUPER STAR”.  “OVER THE HILL GANG”, “EASY SUNDOWN” and “STONEY PLAIN’ followed.   Jordie dedicated the next 15 years to teaching/mentoring his wife Carol to perform with him in their duo “JORDIE and CAROL” which worked in Calgary, Western Canada and England.  Later, for certain gigs he would invite his student friends to join him on stage, known as the ‘YORKESTRA’.

A member of SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada) Jordie recorded in a number of major studios, including but not limited to his single “Goodbye Louise” recorded at Advision Studios in London and released in Britain.

During his life-long career in music – Jordie also worked as top Canadian Sales Manager of one of the first digital voice recording companies (Eyretel).  The love of music, and particularly the soul music of his youth, lured him back into performing as ‘SOULMAN JORDAN YORK” with the ‘SOULSISTERS’ (Carol & Jude) accompanying him whenever possible.

In the early 90’s Jordie wrote and performed radio jingles and had the thrill of producing the group ‘The Platters’ in singing his jingle “Lets stop and take some time” at the Beach studio in Calgary.

Jordie continued to perform as long as he was able… his last gig was in 2003.

Diagnosed with MS in 1991, Jordie’s strength of spirit and thirst for life allowed him to change his artistic direction as his physical health diminished.  After receiving a diploma in ‘Creative Writing’ in 2004, he became a Freelance Writer.  He had a regular column that he and Carol wrote for the Herald’s “Life at Home” section, called “He Says, She Says” – a light hearted look at the different gender opinions on life’s situations.  For over 6 years he was the Author & Artist Reviewer for the magazine ‘Synchronicity’.  Jordie was also a proud Mason and wrote the monthly Newsletter for Cornerstone Lodge for over a decade.

He may be gone from this earthly realm but his spirit remains alive in all the wonderful people he met along the way.   

Please join us in a ‘Celebration of Life’ at 3pm on Sunday, February 23rd, at the Ambassador Motor Inn, 802 - 16th Ave. NE, T2E 1KH.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jordan "Jordie" Bruce York, please visit our floral store.