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Gordon Kushick

Gordon was a trapper and logger in Pukaskwa National Park. Drowned on May 2, 1951 when he was 49.

Details

Nickname or Alternate Names: Gord

Nationality or Cultural Affiliation: German

Birth Date: 1902?Birth certainty: High

Death Date: May 2, 1951?Death certainty: High

Occupation: Trapper

Companies: Self-Employed

Relationships

Notes

ABANDON SEARCH FOR MISSING PAIR AT MICHIPICOTEN Organized search parties have abandoned the search for James McLeod, 22, and Gordon Kushick, 49, missing off Michipicoten Harbour since May 2 when they set out on pulp operations. Because of the wide area involved and no planes are available for aerial sweeps, the search has been discontinued. Fishing vessels and other crafts operating in the Harbour waters are being asked to watch for any sign of the missing men. A sleeping bag found floating in Lake Superior has been identified by relatives as belonging to Kushick. OPP Constable Orville Waito of the Wawa detachment is in charge of searching operations. McLeod is the son of Angus McLeod, 183 Denis Street, Sault. Kushick is from Michipicoten Harbour.

Places: Michipicoten Harbour Lighthouse

Sources and Further Learning

  • The Sault Star, May 28, 1951

Mike Krezek provides more information about Grordon's drowning: "Gordon Kushick drowned going over to Michipicoten Island in his canoe too early one spring. He was going' very fast in the night, and the scale ice actually sliced his canoe. We went out looking for him and found the sleeping bag clear over between Michipicoten Island and Gargantua Point. His name was printed on it."

Sources and Further Learning

  • Superior's East Shore - Mamainse to Gargantua by Don Steer - Page 617

He is mentioned in several Canadian and American papers including The New York Times on June 19, 1929 for witnessing a meteor falling. Frank Kushick and Gus Widman also witnesses it. SAULT STE. MARIE,' Ont., June 18 (Canadian Press).-A strange tale was brought down to “The Soo" to- day from Michipicoten Island by Frank Kushick, a prospector, who said a huge meteor “about the size of a ship" fell into Lake Superior close to the island at 10 o'clock on the night of June 11. The meteor illuminated the island brilliantly and created a rumbling noise which was heard at Puckasaw and Pipe River, twenty and twelve miles away respectively, for two minutes after it fell. Kushick's story is supported by his brother, Gordon, and Augusta Weidman, camped about two miles away on the island. The meteor fell between the island and the mainland, and there appeared to be two balls of fire, either following the meteor closely or attached to it. The air was full of sparks, he said. Quite a sea arose after the meteor struck the water. The rumbling noise is believed to have been caused by boiling water. A copy of an article in the Morning Leader, Regina Sask is sourced below.

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