Funeral services for Gordon Creaghan, who drowned February 25 in a boating accident in Florida, were held yesterday at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Newcastle, with Rev. R.A. Grattan officiating.
The twenty-year-old Nordin youth was a student of the Charles F. Chapman School of Seamanship and Marine Art, having joined the school just a few months ago. He was a graduate of Miramichi Valley High School.
Gordon’s parents, Dr. Mark and Mrs. Sally Creaghan, had recently gone to Florida for a vacation with their son. “He was to have met us at our hotel in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday. We didn’t get a chance to meet with him. Instead, we received word that he was missing. His body was not recovered until two and one half days later (Tuesday, Feb. 27),” the boy’s father said.
Dr. Creaghan stated that Gordon had been a very strong swimmer. “He was in a boat with two other companions when one fell overboard. Gordon jumped in to rescue him. It was nearing dark, Gordon was hauled under by his companion. He died trying to save a friend...he died doing what he loved best.”
Besides his parents, he is survived by one sister, Lexie, also of Nordin.
Pallbearers were Danny Anderson, Gary Barnaby, Patrick Creaghan, Peter Creaghan, Tony Dolan, Andy Johnston, Paul Richards and Ned Savoy.
Burial was in the Burnt Church Cemetery.