Obituary: Gordon Borsvold

As received from the O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home:

Gordon Roy Borsvold, 89, of rural Calumet, passed away peacefully in his home on August 7, 2024. He was born in Twinning, Michigan, November 4, 1934, to Oscar and Clara (Halvorsen) Borsvold. He was the second youngest of five siblings, three brothers and a sister. One brother, Harold, survives along with several nieces and nephews.

Gordon graduated from Cass Tech High School and studied life drawing at the Meinzinger Art School and ceramics at the Society of Arts and Crafts, all in Detroit. He worked with several design firms in the Detroit area creating prototype models for the automotive industry, business machines and even a seat for the early space program. Gordon was a veteran, serving two years in the Army, stateside, also in design work. In the 1960s he and wife Jane moved to the Copper Country and built a house in rural Chassell. He later lived in Beacon Hill and in the Five-Mile Point lighthouse for several years before purchasing his home and art studio in rural Calumet in the late 1980s.

Gordon was a production potter, selling functional ware for about 30 years. He spent over a year in Belize exploring native clays suitable for a brick-making industry there. He had a keen eye for repurposing objects into sculpture which graced his yard and home. He later turned to colorful abstract painting. Gordon shared his passion for the creative process with many of all ages and abilities, teaching clay, woodworking, drawing or sculpture to Oak House Group Home residents, Michigan Tech Summer Youth, and CLK after school programs, among others. He also worked in construction and in the Gringolet bookstore in Houghton after redesigning the building it was housed in.

Gordon was a life-long learner. He loved reading and classical music, ice skating and playing the French horn and piano. Gordon was an utterly unique, kind and caring individual with a dry sense of humor and a big heart. He lived simply and enriched many lives.

According to his wishes, Gordon was laid to rest among the trees in a natural green burial in Chassell. Arrangements for a celebration of Gordon’s life and art will be announced later. The O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home of Hancock assisted with the arrangements.