Obituary of James Robert Gordon

James Robert Gordon, aged 77, passed away peacefully at the Veterans Unit in Pictou on Tuesday 21 April 2026. He was originally from Mill Brook, Pictou County, the son of David and Treva (Salter) Gordon. He studied cooking at NSCC in Cape Breton and worked one summer at Digby Pines Resort in Digby. He also worked at several restaurants in the Truro area before starting his own place called Smokeys.

Smokeys moved several times but eventually found a home in Bible Hill where Jim cooked up the best fish and chips in the area. His place was popular with the early morning coffee drinkers (back when you could smoke with your coffee) and anyone looking for a good home cooked meal. His wife Carol (and numerous more dedicated employees) spent many hours serving hungry customers. A heart attack at age 45 set him back a bit but didn't slow him down. However, a stroke at age 64 put an end to his cooking career. 

Life was not always kind to Jim. He was devastated by the loss of his wife Carol, only to again feel more loss by the death of his daughter Bobbi Jo. An unexpected but not unwelcome change came with the responsibility of raising 2 young grandchildren - Nicholas and Danielle. When Fiona blew across the country, Jim had a major fall and eventually ended up in his final home at the Veterans Unit in Pictou. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the amazing staff at the Veterans who provided over the top client care and became an extended family to Jim. Each person became family, even if he sometimes called you by different names and had you working in “his” restaurant. He was loved.

Jim was the oldest grandson in the Salter family. He was predeceased by his parents, David and Treva Gordon, his wife Carol (Baird), daughter Bobbi Jo Bezanson, son Jack Baird, in-laws Bertrand & Estella Baird, Joan & Jerry Tisseur, Bob & Francis Baird.

Jim is survived by grandsons Nicolas Bezanson, Devan & Cory Wright, granddaughter Danielle (Jeremy) Macdonald, great grandsons Jacob & Jaden MacDonald, siblings Ron Gordon, Mary Chesnutt (late Johnny), in-laws Sally Baird (late Jack), Mary Perry (late Elson), Steve & Becky Baird, numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews & cousins.

There will be no visitation by request. An open graveside service will be held at Terrace Hill Cemetery, Kaulback Street, Truro on May 2nd at 1pm and Mill Brook Cemetery, Pictou County May 2nd at 2:30pm. Donations, if wished, can be made to Mill Brook Cemetery, Pictou County or a charity of your choice.